DOE faces criticism from Marcoleta over lax fuel price monitoring

Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Thursday fumed over the Department of Energy’s (DOE) supposed inadequate monitoring of the soaring prices of fuel products.  

During the hearing of the Senate’s Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) committee, Marcoleta, who chairs the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, questioned why there were sudden price hikes when existing inventories were still in place. 

“Noong nakaraang hearing natin last Tuesday, maliwanag po na sabi ninyo, DOE, meron tayong 46 days for diesel at that time. Tuesday po ito. Sa kerosene naman, meron tayong 53 days. Ang pinag-uusapan natin do’n, after 15 days, mula nung sabihin ng Pangulo na meron tayong 50 to 60 days inventory, biglang pumalo sa P110 per liter,” the senator said. 

(During our previous hearing last Tuesday, the DOE clearly said that we had 46 days for diesel at that time. This was Tuesday. As for kerosene, we had 53 days. But after 15 days, since the President said that we had 50 to 60 days of inventory, the prices suddenly soared to P110 per liter.) 

“Dati po nilang imbentaryo ‘yun eh. Paano po magiging P110 from P55?” 

(That was their previous inventory. How could it increase from P55 to P110?) 

DOE Oil Management Bureau Director Rino Abad, in response, explained that oil companies had to get the collection that week to be able to purchase the seven-day replacement. 

“Because, Mr. Chair, ‘yung binenta kasi na ‘yun (what was sold) will have to be replaced right after next week. So, kinulekta ho ‘yung amount (the amount was collected),” Abad said. 

Marcoleta insisted that the DOE should have used its powers under the law and asked the oil companies to present documents justifying the sudden oil price hikes. 

“Did you check the oil companies? Kinuha nyo yung document? Kanino nila binili? Makikita nyo ba kung magkano binili? (Did you get the document? Where did they buy it? How much was it?) Did you check that? Have you done that? Marcoleta asked the DOE.

Abad answered, “Not in that…”

Marcoleta cut him off, saying, “Oh eh paano mo sasabihin ngayon? Katungkulan niyo nga yun, if you are screening, if you are monitoring.”

(How would you explain that now? That's your duty, if you are really screening and monitoring.)

“Now, I am asking you, nag-check? Sabi niyo hindi. So, ano ‘yung monitoring? This is the frustration, Mr. Chair. Salamat po.”

(Now, I am asking you if you checked it? You said no. So, what were you monitoring? This is the frustration, Mr. Chair. Thank you.) 

Marcoleta then stood up and left the session hall where the hearing was being conducted.

Senator Loren Legarda, who was also in the hearing, was heard asking Marcoleta why he was suddenly leaving. 

“Bakit ka aalis kung frustrated ka? Wala kang sagot na nakuha? Huh? Bakit ayaw eh kanina pa, ilang oras na tayo dito, wala pa ring sagot?” Legarda told her colleague. 

(Why would you leave if you're frustrated? You haven't gotten any answers yet? Huh? Why not? We've been here for hours, and there's still no answer?) —LDF, GMA Integrated News