Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Motorists line up to buy fuel at a gas station in Mandaluyong City on March 22, 2022. Oil firms implemented price rollbacks today after price hikes the last 11 weeks. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177301656404220220322-gas-station-rollback-GC-17.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Motorists line up to buy fuel at a gas station in Mandaluyong City on March 22, 2022. Oil firms implemented price rollbacks today after price hikes the last 11 weeks. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>NEW YORK — Malacañang has issued a warning against entrepreneurs who might take advantage of the situation amid surging fuel prices and tensions in the Middle East.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/7/motorists-brace-for-massive-fuel-price-hike-2045">Motorists brace for massive fuel price hike</a></div><p>Palace Press Undersecretary Claire Castro reported that the Department of Energy has directed 54 gas stations to explain why they should not be held liable for alleged overpricing.</p><p>“Hindi po tayo kinakailangang maghatakan pababa. At sa mga tao po, hindi po dapat kayo magsamantala. Ang gusto po ng Pangulo ay magtulungan tayo. Kapag kayo po ay nagsamantala, meron po kayong kalalagyan. Kayo po ay madedemanda at maaaring matanggalan po kayo ng pagkakataon na kayo ay makapagnegosyo,” she said in an ambush interview on the sidelines of Marcos’ New York visit.</p><p>“So tandaan niyo po, ang sabi po ng Pangulo, magtulungan tayo. Pero pag hindi po kayo tumulong at kayo po ay nang-abuso sa kahinaan po na nangyayari ngayon, kayo po ay maaaring mademanda at may kaukulang parusa po ‘yan,” she added.</p><p>Castro said the DOE has been coordinating with the Philippine National Police and local government units to monitor reports of potential overpricing.</p><p>She also urged the public to report such cases to the energy department.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>’EMERGENCY POWERS’</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, the Palace will formally request Congress to grant President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. special powers to reduce the fuel excise tax.</p><p>“According to Secretary Garin, nakausap po natin sila. Nakikipag-ugnayan po sila at ang panawagan pong ito ay gagawin po itong Lunes na,” Castro stated.</p><p>Asked about the government’s fuel subsidy, the Palace official deferred to Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, who will conduct a press conference on Monday, March 9.</p><p>Malacañang earlier said Marcos Jr. would certify as urgent a proposed measure granting him temporary authority to reduce excise taxes on petroleum products as oil prices rose due to the US-Israel war on Iran. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wspFuNImNVs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xFln5G0Yxco?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Malacañang has issued a warning against entrepreneurs who might take advantage of the situation amid surging fuel prices and tensions in the Middle East.</p>

Malacañang has issued a warning against entrepreneurs who might take advantage of the situation amid surging fuel prices and tensions in the Middle East.

Palace warns business owners vs overpricing: 'Meron po kayong kalalagyan’

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Palace warns business owners vs overpricing: 'Meron po kayong kalalagyan’

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 09, 2026 08:37 AM PHT

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Claire Castro

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