Transport group PISTON slams Marcos Jr’s disregard for the plight of ordinary Filipinos, as he jetted off to Singapore to indulge in the luxury of the Formula One Grand Prix while his own country grapples with a big-time oil price hike looming this week.
“Habang napipilitan nang maghigpit ng sinturon ang mga namamasada at ang mga ordinaryong Pilipino, pinili ni Marcos Jr maglakwatsa sa ibang bansa para manood ng karera,” said PISTON National President Mody Floranda.
The group said that Marcos Jr’s brazen display of indifference is a slap in the face to transport workers, especially as they continue to suffer from the economic impacts of high fuel prices caused by rampant overcharging by oil companies, which is made possible by the Oil Deregulation Law.
“Kung susuriin, sa loob ng apat na taon, aabot na sa P40/litro ang overcharging ng mga kumpanya sa diesel at P35/litro naman sa gasolina,” said Floranda. “Kung ibabasura itong Oil Deregulation Law, maaaring bumaba sa halos P25-P35/litro ang presyo ng langis sa bansa.”
According to PISTON, the oil price crisis is exacerbated by the rampant overcharging by oil companies that go unchecked because of the Oil Deregulation Law. The absence of proper unbundling of oil prices has made it easier for oil companies to engage in anti-competitive practices, such as overcharging and price fixing.
“Deserve nating mga Pilipino ng lider na nauunawaan ang bigat ng kanyang responsibilidad at inuuna ang kapakanan ng taumbayan. ‘Yang maluhong gawi ni Marcos Jr, na pinopondohan niya gamit ang pera ng taumbayan, ay malinaw na paalala ng madilim na legasiya ng kanyang pamilya at patunay na hindi sila karapat-dapat sa puwesto,” said Floranda.
The group demands Marcos Jr and lawmakers to urgently repeal the Oil Deregulation Law. “Dapat ituring ng gobyerno na prayoridad ang mga lehitimong interes ng mamamayan at hindi ang pagsuporta sa di-makatuwirang bilyong-bilyong pagkamkam ng tubo ng mga malalaking kumpanya ng langis,” said Floranda.