Press Release
September 19, 2008

KIKO urges public to join 24-hour nationwide boycott of big 3

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today strongly called for a 24-hour nationwide boycott of the three biggest oil companies for their stubborn resistance to immediately lower oil prices amid the dramatic plummeting of international costs.

"The public is not stupid. There is no acceptable excuse for the staggered reduction of prices. Inuunti-unti pa nila tayo. Eh kung ang small players nga kayang magbaba ng tatlong piso ng isang bagsak, sila pa kaya na lumalangoy sa bilyun-bilyong kita? Bakit ang ibinababa ng presyo nila wala pang kalahati sa ibinababa ng small players? Ang problema sa kanila, kapag nagtaas sila ng presyo, biglaan. Pero bakit kapag dapat nang magbaba, dinadaan nila ang taumbayan sa tingi-tingi?" emphatically asked Kiko.

Shell, Petron, Caltex/Chevron announced a one-peso per liter rollback today. US crude prices dropped from a high of $147 per barrel in July to the present $97.16 per barrel. The global plunge of oil prices was reportedly caused to a large extent by the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and the American International Group.

"We urge the public to patronize only the small players who have been more responsible and sensitive to the plight of the common consumer. Show your defiance of the Big 3's manipulation and dictation of pump prices by decidedly loading gas elsewhere. They will have no choice but to listen to us. Our loudest protest will come from our pockets. Tama na ang panggugulang nila," emphasized the senator.

"We therefore urge the small oil players to lengthen their operating hours to accommodate would-be boycotters. Magsama-sama tayo laban sa kasakiman ng Big 3!"

News Latest News Feed