CEBU, Philippines – Cebu third district Representative Pablo John Garcia supports the move of the Capitol to sue the three major oil companies for imposing higher petroleum prices in the province than in other areas in the country.
The province is filing a complaint before the Department of Justice against Shell, Petron and Chevron for their alleged violation of the Oil Deregulation Law
Garcia said that these companies may also be found violating Chapter Three of the Revised Penal Code.
Under Chapter Three’s Article 186, “any person who shall monopolize any merchandise or object of trade or commerce, or shall combine with any other person to monopolize and merchandise an object in order to alter the price thereof by spreading false rumors or making use of any other article to restrain free competition in the market” is unlawful.
Garcia said it is possible that the disparity in pricing was intentionally implemented by the three oil companies.
He said that prices should be determined by the market, particularly the forces of supply and demand, “but if they conspired, then that’s a violation of the Revised Penal Code.”
He agreed to the conclusion that the three companies have not given enough explanation to clarify the matter. “It has been the question of the public for a long time. It is time for the public to know why we pay higher here than in other places.”
The lawmaker said that even Governor Gwendolyn Garcia can file a case against the three companies in violation of RPC if she chooses to.
“The governor has a standing to file the suit since she represents the Cebuanos. Under the government code, she is tasked to look after the interest of her constituents,” He said.
The Department of Energy-Department of Justice (DOE-DOJ) Task Force is now looking into whether the three oil firms conspired to intentionally increase fuel prices in Cebu. – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/LPM (THE FREEMAN)