Senator Win Gatchalian debunked the Department of Energy (DOE) for accusing the Senate of “causing undue delay to the timeline of the Malampaya consortium corporations” in relation to the ongoing review of the shares’ sale in the Malampaya gas field.
“It is unfair to accuse the Senate of delaying any timeline or work program of the consortium. It is our responsibility to hold departments to account especially on questionable transactions,” Gatchalian said.
“It’s the DOE’s responsibility to hold the consortium accountable. So, why blame the Senate?”
“The work program, with its timeline, is a commitment of the consortium to the government. Needless to say, that it is the responsibility of the consortium to fulfill their commitment and if there’s any ongoing delay in fulfilling their work program, it’s the DOE’s responsibility to hold the consortium accountable. So, why blame the Senate?” the veteran legislator asked.
While the Chevron-Udenna transaction was completed in March 2020, it was in April this year when the DOE approved the said transaction.
In October of 2020, Gatchalian, together with Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson, already called for an inquiry on the plans and programs of the DOE amid the impending expiration of Malampaya through their Senate Resolution No. 553.
The seasoned lawmaker’s energy committee has conducted three hearings on the matter and went through all the documents that were submitted by the DOE.
“We at the Senate are exercising our oversight functions as part of the check and balance mechanism in the government.”
“We at the Senate are exercising our oversight functions as part of the check and balance mechanism in the government given the significant role that the Malampaya gas field plays in our country’s energy security,” the Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee said.
“Filipino consumers rin po kami, kaya karapatan po naming magtanong at panagutin kung mayroon mang nagkasala,” he added.
Gatchalian has filed a similar resolution, SRN 724, stressing that given the lack of clarity and uncertainty surrounding the remaining natural gas reserves in the said project, it is imperative that the DOE apprise the Filipino public of the plans of the government in ensuring continuous energy supply.
