President Duterte said that Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi “shall remain at the helm of the department he heads”.
PRESIDENT DUTERTE — The Chief Executive made clear his vote of confidence in Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
This, as the President has aired “grave concern” over what he described as the “apparent effort” at the Senate to put the recent developments involving the Malampaya Gas Field in a bad light.
In a statement sent to Malacañang reporters on Friday, the President said that the government valued the critical role and contribution of the Malampaya Gas Field to energy security and he will not allow the valuable resource to be embroiled and jeopardized in the political antics of some members of the Senate.
The President also said that Cusi “has my full trust and confidence” and he “shall remain at the helm of the department he heads”.
President Duterte’s statement came after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian handed over to the Office of the Ombudsman a Senate resolution recommending the criminal prosecution of Energy Secretary Cusi and his subordinates for the allegedly irregular sale of a 45% stake in the Malampaya gas project to UC Malampaya, a subsidiary of Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp.
President Duterte also confirmed that he had seen the report on the sale and purchase of the stock of Chevron Malampaya LLC. The President noted that foreign and local investments were vital to the economy
“Based on this, I am convinced that this was a private transaction between private entities that must be respected,” President Duterte said. “I am likewise convinced that, in this case, the national interest has been protected and the rights of the government remain intact.”
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The President also said that while he acknowledged the power of the Senate to conduct investigations in aid of legislation, he believed that this power “must be exercised with prudence and circumspection, devoid of reckless accusations, and focused on improving existing laws and the execution thereof”.
President Duterte went on to appeal – and give a further dig – at the legislators regarding the Malampaya Gas Field controversy.
“Leave business transactions in the capable hands of the business sector. Let us respect their business decisions while we protect our national interests,” President Duterte said.
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