Duterte party unaware of raps vs ex-energy chief Cusi
The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) of jailed former President Rodrigo Duterte remained confident that its vice chair, former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, would be cleared by the Supreme Court of charges that he gave “unwarranted benefits” to businessman Dennis Uy over the takeover of the Malampaya gas project in 2019.
“Suffice it to state that 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,” said PDP deputy spokesperson Ferdinand Topacio.
“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 said.
The case stemmed from Cusi’s indictment by the Ombudsman over the “unwarranted benefits” to Uy supposedly enjoyed from Duterte, over the sale of 45 percent stake of Chevron Malampaya LLC in the Malampaya gas field, and another 45 percent shares of Shell Philippines.
Topacio said the case was “previously dismissed” by the Ombudsman last year after it found “no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Secretary Cusi.” But the matter was elevated to the Supreme Court for “certiorari proceedings.”
Cusi is also the acting chair of the PDP, replacing for the meantime Duterte who has been under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since March for crimes against humanity over his brutal drug war that left thousands of drug suspects dead during his administration.
Cusi himself told the Inquirer that he only learned about his indictment through news reports and that he has not received any notice yet from the Office of the Ombudsman.
His lawyer, Ruy Rondain, also said they were not furnished with any copy of the indictment from the Ombudsman. He also confirmed the indictment but said, “That is the information I’ve received.”
“The reversal of the said resolution last year is now the subject of certiorari proceedings before the Supreme Court, and out of respect to that institution and the principle of sub judice, we will not comment further on the merits thereof,” Topacio said in a statement.
Topacio clarified, however, that he does not represent Cusi in this case and only spoke on behalf of the party, which was temporarily being headed by the former Cabinet member.
The media sought the Ombudsman’s side and for confirmation of the indictment, but has no response as of press time.
An online report said that the Ombudsman has ordered the indictment of Cusi, along with four other former energy officials.
