DOE downplays criminal complaint vs. chief on Malampaya deal

The Department of Energy (DOE) said the criminal complaint against Secretary Alfonso Cusi and other energy officials could be a political move, but the agency has vowed to answer the allegations in the proper venue after receiving the official copy of the complaint.

On Monday, a criminal complaint was filed by geologist Balgamel Domingo and concerned citizens Rodel Rodis and Loida Nicolas Lewis against Cusi and other DOE officials over the acquisition by Dennis Uy’s company of the 45-percent share of Chevron in Malampaya.

“It should be noted that two of the alleged complainants are Filipino-Americans who were reportedly identified with the ‘Oust Duterte’ movement in the United States,” the DOE said in a statement Tuesday.

The complainants allegedly involved Cusi and other energy officials giving “unwarranted benefits and advantage” to Uy’s UC Malampaya in the buyout of Chevron’s share in Malampaya.

The DOE added this could be a political move as Cusi is also the incumbent president of the PDP-Laban led by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Coincidence or not, the timing of the filing of the case is curiously close to the onset of the political season with the recent filing of the certificates of candidacy of national and local candidates for elective office,” it said.

The energy department added the complaint is “speculative, without basis and malicious”.

In a statement, holding firm Udenna Corp. said it has yet to receive a copy of the complaint and will address all the allegations raised against the company.

Udenna, through its subsidiary UC Malampaya Philippines Pte. Ltd., bought the 45-percent stake of Chevron Malampaya LLC in Malampaya.

Another Udenna unit, Malampaya Energy, also bought 45 percent shares of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) in the natural gas field. (PNA)

On Monday, a criminal complaint was filed by geologist Balgamel Domingo and concerned citizens Rodel Rodis and Loida Nicolas Lewis against Cusi and other DOE officials over the acquisition by Dennis Uy’s company of the 45-percent share of Chevron in Malampaya.

“It should be noted that two of the alleged complainants are Filipino-Americans who were reportedly identified with the ‘Oust Duterte’ movement in the United States,” the DOE said in a statement Tuesday.

The complainants allegedly involved Cusi and other energy officials giving “unwarranted benefits and advantage” to Uy’s UC Malampaya in the buyout of Chevron’s share in Malampaya.

The DOE added this could be a political move as Cusi is also the incumbent president of the PDP-Laban led by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Coincidence or not, the timing of the filing of the case is curiously close to the onset of the political season with the recent filing of the certificates of candidacy of national and local candidates for elective office,” it said.

The energy department added the complaint is “speculative, without basis and malicious”.

In a statement, holding firm Udenna Corp. said it has yet to receive a copy of the complaint and will address all the allegations raised against the company.

Udenna, through its subsidiary UC Malampaya Philippines Pte. Ltd., bought the 45-percent stake of Chevron Malampaya LLC in Malampaya.

Another Udenna unit, Malampaya Energy, also bought 45 percent shares of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX) in the natural gas field. (PNA)