LOOK: Bayan Muna protests new oil price hikes

MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna officials Neri Colmenares and Rep. Carlos Zarate on Tuesday led a protest against the new hikes in oil prices, as they called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to reveal details about the fuel price increases.

Colmenares, who is running for senator in the May midterm elections, led around 20 Bayan Muna in picketing a gas station near the 11th World Scout Jamboree Memorial Rotonda along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

Photo by Gabriel Pabico Lalu/INQUIRER.net

On Tuesday morning, major oil companies including Shell, Caltex, Phoenix Petroleum, Total Philippines, Eastern Petroleum, Seaoil, and Petro Gazz implemented a P1.45 increase on prices of gasoline and diesel fuel

Previously, Bayan Muna warned DOE officials that they may file cases against them for prolonged inaction against the high fuel prices.  According to the party-list, the DOE order which mandates oil companies to make public the breakdown of prices has long been pending.

Photo by Gabriel Pabico Lalu/INQUIRER.net

Proposals to reveal oil price details stemmed from the high gasoline prices in 2018, allegedly due to the effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.  According to Colmenares, by making public details on oil prices, the public can determine if oil companies are imposing high prices in the guise of the TRAIN law. /muf

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