Transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) lamented the Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday for what it calls a "deceptive" staggered implementation of fuel price hikes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Acording to the report of RH Jecelle Ricafort, PISTON led a protest rally along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, coinciding with the implementation of the first wave of oil price increases this week.
On Tuesday, June 24, major oil companies raised prices by P1.75 per liter for gasoline, P2.60 for diesel, and P2.40 for kerosene, which PISTON claims was deliberately done in phases to suppress public outrage.
In their protest and Facebook post, PISTON detailed the economic burden the fuel hikes are placing on drivers.
“Mula Enero 2024 ay aabot na sa higit-kumulang P15,000 kada buwan ang nawawalang kita ng tsuper dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng diesel. Katumbas na ito ng minimum wage sa NCR,” the post read.
Meanwhile, they noted that oil executives like Ramon Ang of Petron and other “oil cartels” continue to profit billions.
PISTON also condemned the President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. administration’s inaction on scrapping fuel-related taxes.
“Ang gobyerno ni Marcos Jr., isang executive order lang para mabasura ang VAT at excise tax, ayaw pang gawin,” said in the statement.
They also urged the government to release an executive order to remove the value-added and excise taxes on oil products.
They further criticized the government’s failure to address what they say is the root cause of the problem—the unregulated oil industry.
According to the group, the government prioritizes corporate interests over the welfare of ordinary Filipinos.
PISTON also linked the surge in global oil prices to the U.S.-led war efforts in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, exacerbated by Israel’s involvement.
“Ang Estados Unidos, tuloy-tuloy ang panggegera dahil sa pagkaganid nila sa kapangyarihan at kontrol sa rekurso ng Gitnang Silangan. Manggegera para sa langis, kaya tataas ang presyo ng langis,” they said.
The transport group also stressed that no matter how the DOE structures the increase, a P5 hike remains a major blow, not just to transport workers but also to the daily lives of ordinary Filipino families.
The group emphasized that the Philippines’ heavy dependence on imported fuel exposes the country to market vulnerabilities and speculative pricing driven by global political tensions.
