MANILA, Philippines — No amount of protesting will bring down gas prices, which are dictated by world markets, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday, amid the transport strike being mounted by some drivers of public utility vehicles due to rising fuel prices.
During his taped address to the nation aired on Tuesday, Duterte said that the whole world is reeling from oil price increases due to the uncertainty in supply amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Maski anong protesta ninyo, ‘yan talaga ang presyo ng langis… Baka darating ang araw hirap na tayo kasi ang supply ng oil kulang tapos ang pera natin mawalan ng bisa rin because we are not productive anymore because of the lack of fuel,” Duterte said.
(Whatever protest you make, that’s the price of oil… The time may come when we will have difficulty because the oil supply is limited and our money may lose its value because we are not productive anymore due to the lack of fuel.)
“Kayong mga driver pati everyone, ‘wag kayo maghihinakit na tumataas ang presyo. Lahat sa mundo tinatamaan ngayon,” he continued.
(Drivers and everyone, do not get offended by the rising prices. Every part of the world is affected.)
Should there be sufficient supply of oil, the president said that rich nations may be prioritized as they have the capability to pay.
“Kung meron man [oil supply], mataas kasi agawan sa presyo. Hindi naman tayo mayaman, ‘di maunahan talaga tayo. Kung may supply man, ibigay doon sa makabayad,” he pointed out.
(If there is enough oil supply, the price will be high because of demand. We are not rich, we will be left behind by other countries. If there is a supply, it will be given to those who can pay.)
Duterte likewise reiterated that the Philippines will remain neutral amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
Prices of oil have been on the rise since Russia, a key crude producer, invaded Ukraine in February.
The development prompted transport groups to file petitions for a fare hike as fuel costs have likewise affected prices of basic commodities.