The Philippine Government has cleared Alfonso Cusi, head of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), of conflict of interest charges after he failed to declare ownership of a materials handling company that won a contract to rent a PPA property in Tagbilaran City.

The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) dismissed the case because the complainant, Virgilio Casison, failed to submit evidence to prove his allegations against Mr Cusi, who was appointed head of the PPA in 2001.

Mr Casison filed the case before the PAGC, claiming Mr Cusi's continued ownership of Starlite Marine & Industrial Services Corp was a conflict of interest.

Starlite won a 15-year lease contract to operate the PPA passenger terminal at the Port of Tagbilaran in 1998. At the time, Mr Cusi was president and incorporator of the firm.