Nakatakda raw umapela ang Department of Energy (DOE) laban sa desisyon ng Court of Appeals (CA) na kinatigan ang hatol ng Taguig Regional Trial Court (RTC) na nagpatigil sa implementasyon ng Oil Unbundling Circular.
“Although the CA Decision on the matter was released through its website, the DOE, through its counsel the Office of the Solicitor General, has yet to formally receive a copy of the Ruling,” ayon sa DOE.
“The DOE intends to seek a reconsideration of the Decision, and raise the issue to the Supreme Court, if necessary,” dagdag ng kagawaran.
Batay sa 15-pahinang desisyon ng appellate court, nakasaad na may karapatan ang complainant na Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (PSPC) sa preliminary injunction.
Ayon kay Associate Justice Florencio Mamauag Jr., mismong ang pinagtatalunang circular ang hindi tumupad sa mga probisyon nito.
“While it is true that the DOE has the power to monitor and follow the movements of domestic oil prices, an oil industry player like PSPC has the right to be protected from the harsh imposition of penalties such as suspension of business permit or closure, imprisonment and/or fine,” ayon sa hukom.
Pero depensa ng Energy department, hindi naman validity ng Department Circular 2019-05-0008 ang hinatulan ng CA, kundi ang hatol ng mababang korte.
Iginiit ng kagawaran na mahalaga ang isinusulong nilang kautusan para matiyak ng gobyerno na tapat ang mga kompanya sa pagpe-presyo ng langis.
“The DOE issued the Circular to help strengthen the agency’s capability to monitor oil prices more effectively.”
Sinabi rin ng ahensya, na tila takot ang mga kompanya na masiwalat ang kanilang sikreto sa kalakalan kaya todo-depensa sila laban sa circular.
“The DOE maintains that the unbundling of oil prices would foster greater market transparency by establishing the trends in the prices of oil and finished petroleum products. This, in turn, would help ensure a level playing field within the oil industry, while upholding the best interests of consumers.”
Sa ilalim ng Department Circular, inaatasan ang oil companies na himayin ang detalye sa pagpapataw nila ng adjustments sa presyo ng produktong langis.
