Fuel hoarders and profiteers may face a maximum penalty of up to 15 years of imprisonment. This is stated in House Bill No. 8616, which aims to protect consumers from fuel traders taking advantage of the oil crisis.

The bill, filed by Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Brian Yamsuan, suggests that acts of greed and exploitation should not be tolerated, especially during the current state of the economy. According to the lawmaker, Congress must pass the bill to prevent individuals from exploiting the situation.

“When the news broke of the impending oil price hike in the country, there were several reports of hoarding and profiteering in the sale of petroleum products,” the bill’s explanatory note read.

Yamsuan said that as of March 9, 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) has assessed 87 reports of excessive fuel price hikes, 26 of which are from Metro Manila, and issued 55 show cause orders to the reported gas stations. The lawmaker cited the Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, which was first enacted in 1979, and amended in 1983 by Presidential Decree No. 1865 (PD 1865). The said decree was promulgated to curb similar activities.

However, since the PD is a decades old law, Yamsuan highlighted that penalties prescribed are no longer at par with the recently enacted laws involving petroleum products.

“This measure seeks to increase the penalties under PD 1865, in recognition of the abhorrent nature of these crimes, especially those that take advantage of Filipinos during emergency situations or economic difficulties, for their own personal gain,” Yamsuan wrote.

Under the bill, hoarders and profiteers would be fined from P50,000 to P300,000, with a period of imprisonment from five to 15 years.