An influential politician in the Philippines who supported expansion of natural gas power is behind a company that planned to make a fortune from it, an Associated Press investigation has found. Gov. Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas province and his late wife stood to profit from a buildout of natural gas power because he owned the largest share in a real estate firm that soared in value as energy companies moved in. The firm also launched its own natural gas project. Mandanas defended the development as best for the country, but ethics experts say it was a clear conflict of interest. Energy analysts say the Philippines could have supplied its future electricity growth needs with clean energy with far less harm to the climate and environment.
