Guv asks DOJ for update on case against 3 oil giants

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia sent yesterday a follow-up letter on the update of the case she filed against three big oil companies before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The letter was sent to DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima and Department of Energy Sec. Jose Rene Almendras.

Garcia failed to discuss the matter with DOE Assistant Sec. Ramon Oca, who visited Capitol yesterday, as Oca is assigned with oil and gas exploration.

Garcia and various chambers of commerce in Cebu had filed a complaint in 2009 for overpricing of petroleum products against three oil companies.

She sued Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Petron Corp. and Chevron Corp. for violation of Section 11 Republic Act 8479 or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998 which penalizes cartelization and predatory pricing of petroleum products.

The joint task force on oil deregulation had conducted a hearing on the case in Cebu. The task force vowed to expedite the resolution and filing of appropriate charges against those found liable of violating the Oil Deregulation Act.

Garcia alleged that the oil companies committed the offense of cartelization as fuel prices in Cebu are higher compared to Davao and Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Oca opened up the idea of launching the electric jeepneys and tricycles in Cebu, like what Mandaluyong City did, to ward off the increasing prices of oil.

Although Garcia welcomed the idea to be less dependent on gasoline and diesel, she stressed that the present reality is that most if not all modes of transportation run on gas and diesel. – (FREEMAN)