Energy Secretary Sharon Garin disclosed that her agency is preparing legal action against 54 gasoline stations found to have manipulated pump prices during the ongoing Middle East crisis, as reported on GMA’s Unang Hirit Monday.
Garin said the number of stations facing complaints continues to grow, and that the DOE intends to shut down violators.
“Ang masama ay may mga nag-hoard o may ibang gasolinahan na naghihintay ng akyat presyo at ayaw magbenta. So ‘yan po ‘yung mga kakasuhan po natin at ipapasara po ng DOE. Alam ninyo po hindi na makatarungan ang ginagawa nila, perwisyo sa bayan o sa mga kababayan natin,” she said.
“Actually sa ngayon ay mga 54 na ang mga kakasuhan namin na gasolinahan. So dumadami’t dumadami po ‘yan,” she added.
She pointed out that the stations had no legitimate basis for raising prices, noting that existing fuel stocks were purchased before any cost increase took effect.
“May stock naman ang mga gas stations. Ang presyo, bakit magmahal siya? Mahal ang replacement cost niya. Pero hindi pa sila bumibili last week,” she said.
On the ground, DOE Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella personally delivered a show cause order to one gasoline station in Pasig City. He said the establishment was given 24 hours from receipt of the notice to explain why it failed to follow the department’s fuel pricing advisory, based on findings from a March 7 inspection.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro separately confirmed the enforcement action during a briefing for reporters accompanying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on his working visit to the United States, according to Unang Hirit correspondent Joseph Morong.
Castro cautioned businesses against exploiting the situation, saying the administration would not hesitate to act.
“Sa mga tao po hindi po dapat kayo magsamantala. Ang gusto po ng Pangulo ay magtulungan tayo. Kapag kayo po ay nagsamantala, meron po kayong kalalagyan. Kayo po ay madedemanda at maaaring matanggalan pa po kayo ng pagkakataon na kayo ay makapagnegosyo,” she said.
