THE COUNTRY’S Energy chief on Wednesday night said he would answer in due time a senator’s allegation that he and other key officials had railroaded the approval of the sale of shares in the Malampaya gas field to a local company.

“I have taken note of what the senator said today,” Energy Secretary Alfredo G. Cusi said in a statement. “I shall issue my response once I get a hold of the Senate resolution.”

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who heads the energy committee, on Wednesday said the Energy chief should resign and face charges for approving the deal, which he said was illegal.

The lawmaker, who bared the findings of his committee in a privilege speech, accused Mr. Cusi and his subordinates of gross negligence and grave misconduct for approving the sale of a Chevron unit with a 45% stake in the Malampaya gas field to UC Malampaya Pte. Ltd.

Udenna Corp., the parent of UC Malampaya, has said the transaction does not need regulatory approval.

Taxpayers last year also filed a graft complaint at the Ombudsman against the energy officials over the deal.

Mr. Cusi in October said the complaint was harassment. “But it comes with the territory, so we will just address it at the proper forum where it was filed.”

“I have no doubt the truth will vindicate me and the innocent people dragged into this purported action obviously filed for the singular purpose of political propaganda,” he said at that time.

Malampaya is the Philippines’ lone natural gas field that provides as much as 20% of the country’s energy requirements. — Marielle C. Lucenio

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR