Palace on Malampaya deal: All gov’t transactions follow correct process

Malacañang said Tuesday that the Duterte administration follows the law on government transactions.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles made the response in connection with opposition Senators Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima expressing concerns over Dennis Uy-led Udenna Corporation's acquiring controlling stakes in the Malampaya gas-to-power facility off Palawan.

"I will leave it to the respective agencies to make a statement, but I would like to assure the public na lahat po ay dumadaan sa tamang proseso [all government transactions follow the legal process]," Nograles said.

Uy donated P30 million to President Rodrigo Duterte's 2016 presidential campaign, based on the President's Statement of Contributions and Expenses for the 2016 polls submitted to the Commission on Elections.

Udenna, for its part, has maintained that the Udenna-Malampaya deal is aboveboard. 

“Let us be clear that there is no law requiring approval of transfer of shares of companies that have interest in Malampaya,” Udenna spokesperson Raymond Zorilla said in a statement.

“Therefore, no party has the legal ability to rescind the Chevron and Shell transactions.” — BM, GMA News