The government has stepped up its crackdown on alleged fuel hoarding and profiteering, issuing show-cause orders to nearly 100 gasoline stations following reports of irregular pricing nationwide, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.
The enforcement drive was launched on the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as authorities respond to mounting concerns over the impact of global energy volatility on domestic pump prices.
Citing data from the Department of Energy (DOE), the PCO said regulators are tightening monitoring and compliance checks to ensure fuel retailers adhere to pricing rules and refrain from exploiting current market conditions.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the agency has received nearly 1,000 complaints through the government’s eGov platform, which enables consumers to report suspected hoarding and overpricing.
“Less than a hundred show-cause orders have been issued so far,” Garin said, adding that the DOE’s legal team is working with local government units and the Philippine National Police to gather evidence and determine which establishments may face formal charges.
Inspections conducted with police and local officials have already prompted several gasoline stations to roll back questionable price increases, according to the DOE.
Authorities warned that firms found to have engaged in hoarding or profiteering risk having their operating permits revoked, effectively barring them from continuing operations.
The PCO said inspections will continue nationwide as regulators seek to deter abusive practices and stabilize pump prices. It also urged motorists and consumers to report suspicious activities via the eGov platform, emphasizing that public vigilance remains key to identifying and stopping violators early.
