MANILA -Tensions are rising around the Malampaya gas-to-power project consortium after a former top official of state-owned PNOC Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) challenged the Department of Energy (DOE) to show proof that ports tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. had the technical expertise required for further exploration of potential gas fields near Malampaya, suggesting the firm “is a bogus oil company that was illegally awarded the contract by the DOE.”
Former PNOC president Eduardo Mañalac alleged there was no data to support Prime Infra’s claims that it was technically qualified to explore, drill for and produce oil or gas.
“Let me challenge the DOE to present documents vetting Prime Infra, which they said is technically competent. Show us proof that Prime Infra possessed the required technical qualifications and experience prior to becoming a service contractor,” Mañalac said in a statement on Friday.
Despite Mañalac’s claim that Prime Infra had “nonexistent technical expertise,” the DOE has said that the consortium passed the agency’s technical, financial and legal evaluation.
On Thursday, Razon lashed out at Mañalac, saying the former PNOC executive was pushing his own agenda and making unsubstantiated claims.
Razon’s Prime Infra lashes back at Malampaya extension critic
“It is appalling to hear Mr. Mañalac argue for the supposed ‘losses for the government or the Filipino people’ when we know that he is the same character who brokered the tripartite agreement for the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking among the Philippines, Vietnam and China, essentially compromising Philippine territory by allowing the two countries to explore our natural resources without government supervision,” Razon said.
Asked for comment, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said: “At this point, how many months already has Prime Energy been operating the Malampaya project? Six months. So what better proof that it is indeed capable of operating the Malampaya project?” INQ
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