Ex-MIAA chief Cusi is DOE secretary; former usec Calida is SolGen

Former Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Alfonso Cusi (left) and Former justice undersecretary Jose Calida INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Former Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Alfonso Cusi is set to be the energy secretary of presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

Lawyer Salvador Panelo confirmed on Friday that Duterte would appoint Cusi as the secretary of the Department of Energy.

Cusi became controversial because of his alleged involvement in the alleged massive cheating in the 2004 presidential elections won by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Cusi is known to be a close friend of former First Gentleman Juan Miguel “Mike” Aroyo.

He also served as general manager of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines during Arroyo’s administration. He is currently the vice-chair of Duterte’s political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). Cusi also chairs the Starlite Ferries, a shipping company.

He graduated from La Salle College in 1972 and proceeded to finish his MBA at UP in 1976. He joined the Aboitiz Shipping Corporation in 1972.

Meanwhile, former justice undersecretary Jose Calida will be appointed as Solicitor General, Panelo added.

In an inteview with ABS-CBN’s ANC, Calida vowed to defend the Constitution.

“If I become the Solicitor General, I will take an oath. And that is to defend the Constitution and to enforce the rule of law regardless of who the appointing authority is,” he said.

Calida is a practicing lawyer at J. Calida & Associates Law Firm and he is also the chair and president of Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency.

He worked as an undersecretary of Department of Justice from March 12, 2001 to Jan. 20, 2004 and as an executive director of Dangerous Drugs Board from Jan. 21 to Oct. 31, 2004.

Calida graduated cum laude in AB English at Ateneo de Davao University in 1969 and obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de Manila Law School in 1973. With reports from Inquirer Research/RAM/rga

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