Presidential bet Gonzales urges appeal to OIC to increase oil production

Presidential candidate and former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales on Thursday urged the government to encourage the Bangsamoro Region to make appeals before the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to increase their oil production.

In a statement, Gonzales said the Muslim Brotherhood is a "most holy virtue that could be evoked by fellow Muslims" so oil-producing countries may overcome their supposed hesitancy amid rising oil prices.

"Government may encourage the BARMM to constitute a joint delegation of MNLF and MILF leaders to make appeals to OIC and its member countries imploring Muslim Oil Producing Nations to increase their production," he said.

Oil firms on Tuesday implemented another major price hike with domestic pump prices already hitting P84.55 per liter in select areas across the country.

Prices per liter of gasoline went up by P7.10, diesel by P13.15, and kerosene by P10.50 effective March 15.

Gonzales also proposed for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to make an appeal before the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

"Majority of the population in ASEAN are Muslims. This could spell a difference in our diplomatic appeal," he said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA News