Politician who pushed Philippines natural gas boom is behind firm that planned to profit

BATANGAS, Philippines (AP) — An influential politician in the Philippines, who has been a cheerleader for natural gas power, is behind a company that planned to make a fortune from it, an Associated Press investigation of thousands of pages of documents has found.

Gov. Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas province and his late wife stood to profit from a buildout of liquified natural gas power — he owned the largest share in a real estate firm that soared in value as energy companies moved in, while he promoted the expansion in media interviews and public events. The firm also launched its own natural gas project.

Experts in government ethics deplored the scenario, with one environmental law advocate calling for an investigation into Mandanas. In an interview with the AP, Mandanas denied his associated businesses are involved with the buildout and called natural gas the best choice for the country.

The major commitment to natural gas comes at a time when many countries are ramping down the use of the fossil fuels that cause climate change. Scientists say that to avoid profound disruption from climate change, no new fossil fuel infrastructure that emits carbon dioxide can be built. Some analysts say all the Philippines’ future electricity growth could be met with clean renewables.

Filipinos will likely pay more for electricity than if the country went all in for wind and solar power, because in many places renewable energy is now the cheapest form of new electricity.

The construction also is happening in an ecologically vibrant zone with coral reefs and communities that depend on their fish. The AP previously reported that both could be harmed by the planned power stations.

Gerry Arances, who heads up the Center for Energy,