Ex-energy chief Cusi seeks travel furlough

MANILA, Philippines — Former energy secretary Alfonso Cusi appeared before the Sandiganbayan yesterday to seek permission to travel to China and Japan.

Cusi asked the anti-graft court’s Third Division to allow him to travel to China on Oct. 31 to attend an import-export fair in China and fly to Japan for a food fair on Nov. 8.

State prosecutors opposed Cusi’s motion, arguing that the overseas trips “are not emergency in nature.”

Third Division chairman Associate Justice Karl Miranda said the motion has been submitted for resolution.

Cusi is facing a graft complaint over his alleged involvement in facilitating the sale of a 45-percent stake in the Malampaya gas project when he was energy chief.