The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) confirmed that the Office of the Ombudsman has filed a graft case before the Sandiganbayan against its acting chairman and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in connection with the controversial Malampaya gas-to-power project.
In a statement on Saturday, PDP reiterated its full support for Cusi, stressing that the case had previously been dismissed by the Ombudsman for lack of evidence.
"The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) confirms that a case involving the Malampaya gas project has been filed witht the Sandiganbayan against, among others, PDP acting chairman and former Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi," PDP Deputy Spokesman Ferdinand S. Topacio said in a statement.
"It must be emphasized that this is the same case that was previously dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman which found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Sec. Cusi," he added.
According to the Ombudsman, there is probable cause to charge Cusi along with four former Department of Energy (DOE) officials: former Undersecretaries Donato Dionisio Marcos and Robert Biron Uy, former Assistant Secretary Leonido Jimenez Pulido III, and Director Cesar Gaba dela Fuente III.
The case stems from allegations that Cusi and his team allowed businessman Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corporation to take control of 90 percent of the Malampaya project in 2019.
Through a series of loan-backed acquisitions, Udenna purchased Chevron Malampaya LLC’s 45-percent stake for $545 million (₱31.1 billion) and later Shell Philippines Exploration B.V.’s 45-percent share for $380 million (₱21.7 billion).
Critics, including lawmakers and private groups, questioned the transaction, citing Uy’s close ties to former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Ombudsman ruled that Cusi and his co-accused violated Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from giving unwarranted benefits or preferences to private parties through manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross negligence.
“The PDP affirms our continued belief in the innocence of our acting chairman, and reaffirms our faith and confidence in his leadership and abilities to lead our party during these trying times,” PDP reiterated.
Topacio also appealed to the Supreme Court for a speedy resolution of the case, saying,
"We respectfully appeal to the Supreme Court to resolve the said case with dispatch, fully convinced as we are that in the end, truth and justice will prevail, and our acting chairman shall ultimately be exonerated," Topacio stressed.
The Ombudsman has yet to release the official court documents to the media.
