Alfonso Cusi

Filipino businessman, civil servant and politician
Alfonso Cusi
Cusi in 2022
14th Secretary of Energy
In office
June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byZenaida Monsada
Succeeded byRaphael P. M. Lotilla
Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
In office
March 2010 – December 2010
PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo
Benigno Aquino III
General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority
In office
August 2004 – March 2010
PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo
General Manager of the Philippine Ports Authority
In office
February 2001 – July 2004
PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo
Personal details
Born
Alfonso Gaba Cusi

(1949-12-05) December 5, 1949 (age 74)
Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
Political partyPDP
SpouseMaria Angeles S. Cusi
Alma materUniversity of St. La Salle (BS)
University of the Philippines (MBA)
ProfessionBusinessman, government administrator

Alfonso "Al" Gaba Cusi (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈkusɪ]; born December 5, 1949)[1][2] is a Filipino businessman from Naujan, Oriental Mindoro who served as the 14th Secretary of Energy under the Duterte administration from 2016 to 2022. He also served in the Arroyo Administration as head of government air and sea transportation agencies from 2001 to 2010.[3] He is the Vice Chairman of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino,[4] after becoming president of the party then known as PDP–Laban in 2021.

Cusi and other Department of Energy officials face graft charges, neglect of duty, and grave misconduct before the Office of the Ombudsman over the buyout of Malampaya Philippines Pte. of 45% Chevron Philippines' stake in the Malampaya gas field in Palawan.[5]

Early life and education

Cusi was born in the municipality of Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. He graduated at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod (then known as La Salle College Bacolod), earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972. He also attended the University of the Philippines in Cebu City and received a Master of Business Administration in 1976.[2]

Career and businesses

Alfonso joined Aboitiz Shipping Corp., and while working there, he simultaneously obtained his Master’s degree in Business from the University of the Philippines. Eventually, he struck out on his own, venturing into entrepreneurship in 1991.

Cusi’s commitment to public service unfolded in 2001 when he assumed a key position at the Philippine Ports Authority. Here, he introduced passenger terminals across ports for public safety, played a pivotal role in the Strong Republic Nautical Highway Project, and established a cruise ship terminal in Manila. His leadership continued at the Manila International Airport Authority in 2004, addressing terminal issues and elevating standards. His sweeping achievements in both the public and private sectors at this point were quickly recognized, earning him a Doctorate of Philosophy in Business from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in 2007.

In 2010, Cusi took on the role of CAAP Director General, preventing the downgrade of Philippine aviation. Returning to private business after GMA’s term, he initiated the fleet modernization of Starlite Ferries in 2011, setting industry standards.

Beyond his entrepreneurial and executive successes, Cusi’s contributions extended to serving as the Secretary of Energy, propelling advancements in the sector. Despite never seeking elective positions, his harmonious blend of entrepreneurship and impactful public service earned him admiration, exemplifying a positive influence on both business and government fronts.

Controversies

Complaints against media outlets

In 2021, Cusi filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against seven news organizations over their stories on the Malampaya deal, which detailing the graft charges filed against him and businessman Dennis Uy. On June 24, 2022, before his term as Energy Secretary ended, Cusi, through an affidavit of desistance filed in the Taguig City's Prosecutor Office, withdrew these complaints.[6]

References

  1. ^ Birthday Greeting to CEO Alfonso Cusi
  2. ^ a b "Know much more about Duterte gov't's men and women". Interaksyon. June 9, 2016. Archived from the original on July 17, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  3. ^ Mercado, Neil Arwin (July 17, 2021). "Pacquiao out, Cusi in as PDP-Laban president". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "NATIONAL OFFICERS". PDP Laban. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Cordero, Ted (February 4, 2022). "Cusi on Senate resolution reaching Ombudsman: I'm ready to face any charges". GMA News Online. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  6. ^ "Cusi withdraws libel, cyberlibel complaints vs ABS-CBN, other news orgs". ABS-CBN News. June 24, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of Energy
2016–2022 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by President of PDP–Laban
2021–2022 		Succeeded by
Jose Alvarez
  • v
  • t
  • e
Executive Secretary
Secretary of Agrarian Reform
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Budget and Management
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Energy
  • Alfonso Cusi (2016–2022)
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources
  • Gina Lopez (2016–2017)
  • Roy Cimatu (2017–2022)
  • Jim Sampluna* (2022)
  • Joselin Marcus E. Fragada* (2022)
Secretary of Finance
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Secretary of Health
Secretary of Human Settlements and Urban Development
Secretary of Information and Communications Technology
Secretary of Justice
Secretary of Labor and Employment
Secretary of Migrant Workers
Secretary of National Defense
Secretary of Public Works and Highways
Secretary of Science and Technology
Secretary of Social Welfare and Development
Secretary of Interior and Local Government
Secretary of Trade and Industry
  • Ramon Lopez (2016–2022)
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Tourism
Vice President
Presidential Spokesperson
Presidential Management Staff Director-General
Presidential Adviser on National Security
Secretary of Presidential Communications
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
National Economic and Development Authority Director-General
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Secretary to the Cabinet
Presidential Assistant for the Visayas
  • Michael Lloyd Dino (2016–2022)
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
Lead Convenor of National Anti-Poverty Commission
*as Acting Secretary
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