The Department of Energy (DOE) is studying options on how to go about the Commission on Audit’s ruling on the P53.14-billion tax dispute of the consortium operating the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project.

COA wrote the DOE to ask its position on the tax dispute, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in an interview after the Senate Committee on Energy hearing yesterday.

“In fairness to COA, since we are new in the position, they wrote to us asking for our position,” he said. “So far, I replied to COA, telling them I have received the letter and I am studying it.”

Following the COA letter, Cusi said he has been gathering all necessary and related information regarding the unpaid Malampaya royalties.

In an April 6, 2015 decision, COA upheld its 2009 findings that P53.14 billion was uncollected from the consortium operating the Malampaya project from 2002 to 2009.

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