For failing to file appropriate charges against oil companies which have alleged to have overpriced their products, Energy Secretary Jose Almendras took a beating from lawmakers yesterday.
Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares and Alyansa ng mga Grupo ng Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan (AGHAM) party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones said it was unfortunate that Almendras only made a warning to oil firms to roll back pump prices this week or be hailed to court for overpricing.
“Secretary Almendras should just do it (filing of charges) if he sees that the oil companies are guilty of overpricing. This shows that the P-Noy administration is not serious in fighting for the people’s welfare,” Magsaysay said yesterday. She is a senior member of the House committee on energy and transportation.
Magsaysay said that the failure of Almendras to act on the unabated price hikes on petroleum products resulted to the rising costs of commodities.
Colmenares, a senior member of the House committee on trade and industry, said Almendras lost the golden opportunity for his department to redeem its lost credibility and earn the people’s trust when it did not file charges against the oil firms.
“Cases should be filed immediately. Government action against oil companies is long-overdue and in fact it has been the main defender of the Big 3. Now is the time for action and not mere threats, if they already have the goods on the oil cartel, they should charge them now,” Colmenares said.
For his part, Palmones, a member of the House committee on economic affairs, said “sawa na tayo sa mga pangako ng DoE. Huwag ng puro amba, Almendras must prove that the oil players will still abide by our policies, Congress is surely behind him.”
Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, vice chairman of the House committee on transportation, also expressed strong belief that Almendres should have pressed for the filing of charges against oil firms instead of threatening the oil firms.
“He should (file cases) if violation has been committed,” Benitez said, a member of the House committee on energy.
Almendras made the statement as Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Seaoil Philippines and Eastern Petroleum Corp. announced a rollback of diesel pump prices by 40 centavos per liter and gasoline prices by 25 centavos per liter effective yesterday. –Gerry Baldo, Daily Tribune
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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