An unprecedented rise in fuel prices was imposed by oil companies today, March 8, as an expected result of the Russia-Ukraine crisis since last month.
In their separate advisories, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex), Seaoil Philippines Inc., and Cleanfuel declared an increase of P3.60 per liter for gasoline and P5.85 per liter for diesel.
Today’s increase is the tenth for this year.
Figures from the Department of Energy (DOE) reveal that gasoline prices have gone up by P9.65/liter since the start of the year 2022 while diesel and kerosene prices have soared by P11.65/liter and P10.30/liter, respectively.
DOE also forecasts greater price increases in the next few weeks as a result of limited petroleum output aggravated by the ongoing tensions between the US, a strong ally of Middle East oil-producing countries and the world’s largest economy, and Russia, a major oil exporter.
Russia constitutes 12% of global oil and 24% of natural gas production. However, with the Russia-Ukraine crisis, export restraints and financial sanctions have been imposed by other countries against them.
READ: https://tinyurl.com/4zfuadza
To the import-dependent Philippines, this means that as global prices on oil continue to increase, the price of food products and other goods would also inflate, as a consequence.
Opposed? Neutral?
In a debate that aired on CNN last February 27, nine presidentiables have expressed their stand regarding the war ensuing between Russia and Ukraine.
This is following the pronouncement made by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana wherein he stated that the Philippines will remain ‘neutral’ amid terror attacks launched by Russia.
“Wala naman tayong pakialam sa Europe kung ano ang ginagawa nila doon, hindi naman tayo katabi ng Ukraine. Yung mga bansang karatig, nagpapahayag ng suporta sa Ukraine. Tayo neutral muna tayo ngayon,” he said in an interview,”he said.
Three out of nine present candidates agree with Lorenzana’s statement. Among them was Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno who raised that the country’s pandemic situation should be prioritized first.
“We should attend and give our people a chance to get out of this pandemic first…we respect treaties [but] first things first, Filipinos first,” he stated.
On the other hand, the remaining six presidentiables have asserted opposition against neutrality. Among them were Senator Ping Lacson, Vice President Leni Robredo, and Labor leader Ka Leody de Guzaman.
Lacson pointed out that the UN charter allows the Philippines the right to condemn the ongoing attacks unleashed by Russia.
He said: “We have a right to condemn what Russia did as a signatory to the UN Charter, while we renounce war as an instrument of national or foreign policy because that’s in our constitution.”
Meanwhile, Robredo stated in one of her interviews, that the safety of Filipinos in Ukraine should be the top concern and the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine crisis in the international market should be addressed.
“Kailangan din nating paghandaan, ano ba ‘yung epekto nito sa halimbawa sa presyo ng – ‘yung world prices ng halimbawa, langis, ng marami pang ibang produkto,”she raised.
De Guzman also expressed his disfavor to the recent attacks, arguing that only capitalist corporations of the military-industrial complex benefit from war. He said that the Philippines should be in solidarity with other countries such as Ukraine and, most importantly, stand for world peace.
The sole debate absentee, Bongbong Marcos Jr., who first expressed neutrality amid conflict has recently changed his position. On March 1, he announced there was “no need” for the Philippines to take sides for “we are not involved, except for our nationals.”
But, in a press statement last Friday, Marcos changed his tune this time saying that he now supports “the unconditional observance of human rights and fervently hope[s] that there will be no more targeting of civilian communities and civilian establishments.”
As the war continues, the price of oil and other basic commodities are predicted to increase while no pending measures to increase the minimum wage and give financial assistance are in place.
Moreover, jeepney drivers and operators have called on the national government to implement fare hikes along with fuel subsidies. They say that the COVID crisis is exacerbated by profiteering amid the pandemic.
Yesterday, protesters stood outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City to demand a price freeze and price ceiling on oil. They also urged the government to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law and suspend excise tax and VAT on fuel products due to TRAIN Law.
Women from various sectors also protested today in Liwasang Bonifacio to call for the decrease of prices of commodities and petroleum, wage increase, and emancipation of women from discrimination and the impending Marcos-Duterte dictatorship.
Featured image by Rappler
