The Sandiganbayan has allowed the graft case against former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and four former Department of Energy (DOE) officials to move forward after ruling that they had already been sufficiently informed of the charges related to the Malampaya gas project.
The case stems from the 2021 approval of Chevron’s sale of its 45-percent stake in the Malampaya gas project to Udenna Corporation, which the Office of the Ombudsman claims was approved despite the buyer’s alleged failure to meet the required financial and technical qualifications.
The anti-graft court denied the accused officials’ request for a bill of particulars, saying that the information filed by the prosecution already clearly identified the actions being questioned and was enough for them to prepare their defense.
Despite Cusi and the other accused requesting more details on the allegations, the Sandigan found the charges sufficient for them to prepare their defense and allowed the case to move forward.
State prosecutors also argued that the complaint already explained how the approval of the transaction allegedly gave unwarranted benefits to the buyer, making additional details unnecessary.
While the Malampaya gas project remains one of the country’s key sources of natural gas for power generation, the court’s latest ruling does not determine the guilt or innocence of the accused, only allowing the graft case to proceed to trial as they face charges for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
