Senator Raffy Tulfo has lashed out at oil companies over what he described as unjustified fuel price increases, while also criticizing the government’s handling of subsidies as transport workers grapple with rising costs.
During a virtual meeting Monday with officials from the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, and Department of Social Welfare and Development, Tulfo accused oil firms of raising pump prices too quickly following escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“Ang kapal ng mukha nitong mga oil companies na to. Ilang araw matapos sumiklab ang giyera sa Middle East, nagtaas na agad sila ng presyo ng langis na ngayon ay umaabot na sa 97% price increase kahit ang ibinebenta nilang langis ay lumang stock pa,” Tulfo said. “Parang scam.”
The senator argued that fuel price increases in the Philippines have outpaced those in neighboring countries, raising concerns over possible abuse under the Oil Deregulation Law.
Officials from the Department of Energy, however, maintained that the government’s authority is limited under existing law.
Rino Abad, director of the DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau, explained that since the law’s enactment in 1998, the state no longer has direct control over oil pricing and can only monitor price movements and appeal to companies to stagger increases.
Tulfo also flagged issues in the distribution of fuel subsidies, citing complaints from tricycle drivers about unclear requirements, missing beneficiary names, and delays in payouts.
The senator warned that without immediate intervention, rising fuel costs could further burden transport workers and ripple across the broader economy.