Duterte backs Cusi, says Malampaya deal must be respected

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday threw his support behind embattled Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi after senators called for criminal charges to be filed against the Cabinet official over the Malampaya deal.

"I view with grave concern an apparent effort at the Senate to put in bad light recent developments involving the Malampaya gas field," Duterte said in a statement.

"This casts undue, undeserved, and unwarranted aspersion on the part of some of our key government officials. This is grossly unfair to them and to the public."

Earlier in the day, the Senate sent a resolution to the Office of the Ombudsman urging the filing of appropriate criminal and administrative charges against Cusi and other Department of Energy executives with the anti-graft court over the Udenna-Chevron deal on the sale of Malampaya Consortium shares.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate energy committee that looked into the deal, earlier said the government's approval was “lutong makaw,” which means rigged or pre-arranged.

Duterte, however, backed the deal, saying it must be respected.

"I have seen the report on the sale and purchase of the stock of Chevron Malampaya LLC. Based on this, I am convinced that this was a private transaction between private entities that must be respected," he said.

"I am likewise convinced that, in this case, the national interest has been protected and the rights of the government remain intact."

Business transactions should be left in the "capable hands of the business sector," the President said.

"Let us respect their business decisions while we protect our national interests," he said.

The President also said he would not allow a valuable resource such as the Malampaya gas field "to be jeopardized and embroiled in the political antics of some members of the Senate."

Duterte said he respects the power of the Senate to conduct investigations in aid of legislation, but it must be exercised with prudence and circumspection, devoid of reckless accusations and focused on improving existing laws and their execution.

"Let me reiterate: Energy Secretary Cusi has my full trust and confidence and shall remain at the helm of the department he heads," he added.

Cusi said that he was prepared to face any allegations brought against him in the proper venue. — VBL, GMA News