Jeepney drivers want to join case vs 'Big 3' oil firms

MANILA, Philippines - Jeepney drivers under Pang­kalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers’ Association Nationwide Inc. (Pasang Masda) asked the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday to be allowed to join the case against the country’s three largest oil firms.

The Social Justice Society (SJS) charged Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Chevron Philippines, Inc. (formerly Caltex Philippines, Inc.) , and Petron Corp. of violating the laws on monopoly and combination in restraint of trade, and the provisions of the oil deregulation law that prohibit cartelization and predatory pricing.

In a petition for intervention filed with the Manila RTC Branch 26 Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr., Pasang Masda president Roberto Martin said as jeepney drivers, “who, by necessity, consume petroleum products, (they) will either gain or lose by direct legal operation and effect of whatever judgment may be rendered in the… case.”

Martin said they are forced to purchase oil products at the prices fixed by the oil firms and any increase directly affects their livelihood.

He said Pasang Masda has more or less 120,000 members nationwide, consisting solely of drivers who eke out a marginal livelihood.

“The Big 3 are sluggish in reducing prices when crude costs in the world market drop, and quick in increasing prices when crude costs rise, to the detriment of the members of the petitioners, as will be further alleged herein, and as will be proven in Court,” the petition read.

Meanwhile, Petron filed a motion for reconsideration before the court yesterday, asking Pampilo to reverse his April 27 order directing the three oil firms to open its books of account for audit and issue a new one dismissing the petition of SJS.

Petron’s motion follows the one filed the other day by Chevron.