Last Monday, March 9, 2026, Malacanang warned that gasoline stations charging “unreasonable” prices may be meted with sanctions, including revocation of permits, as pump prices are set to rise by P7 to P21 per liter this week.
It disclosed that the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued show-cause orders to 54 gas stations which increased their prices despite the government’s warning not to raise fuel prices.
Earlier, the energy department directed all oil companies, gasoline stations, and downstream oil industry participants to strictly comply with existing fuel pricing rules and anti-hoarding regulations amid continued monitoring of global oil market developments.
Under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the department issued the order to ensure the orderly sale and distribution of petroleum products and to prevent hoarding, profiteering, and any premature or unauthorized price.
“The government will not tolerate any attempt to exploit the present situation at the expense of the Filipino public,” the DOE stated, adding that gasoline stations are not allowed to implement unscheduled or unauthorized price increases outside established pricing adjustments which are usually implemented every Tuesday.
Oil companies have likewise been directed to ensure that their company-owned and dealer-operated stations strictly comply with DOE directives, including any duly authorized staggered price adjustments, where applicable.
According to the order, pump prices from March 6 to March 9 must not go beyond the following ranges: Gasoline (RON 97/100) at ₱53.70 to ₱76.50 per liter; Gasoline (RON 95) at ₱50.00 to ₱71.04 per liter; Gasoline (RON 91) at ₱49.00 to ₱64.70 per liter; Diesel at ₱49.00 to ₱66.59 per liter; Diesel Plus at ₱56.80 to ₱74.81 per liter; and Kerosene at ₱78.90 to ₱99.89 per liter.
It cannot be determined if the 54 gas stations that were told to explain their unauthorized price increases included any of the 24 liquid fuel retail outlets in Catanduanes.
Motorists noted that since last week, some of the fuel stations raised the pump prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene almost daily.
The price of diesel, which is used by many vehicle owners, rose by a few centavos at first, then by P2 pesos the next day and then by P1.50 the following day and was being retailed at P73.50 to P74.00 per liter as of Monday, March 9, 2026.
If the price range in the DOE order is considered, ordinary diesel fuel being sold by the local gas stations is already overpriced by P7.41 pesos.
Ordinary gasoline, on the other hand, was retailing at P70 per liter last Sunday, or P5.30 higher than the DOE’s price range for the product.
This means that many motorists who decided to fill up their tanks during the weekend in anticipation of the big-time price increase this week are victims of price gouging or the practice of charging excessively high prices for essential goods and services during emergencies or periods of high demand.
One who bought 40 liters of diesel at P73.50 per liter this Monday paid a total of P2,940 for a cost-saving measure, one that should have yielded additional savings of P276.40 had the fuel station charged the maximum price of P66.59 per liter according to the DOE directive.
While it may be too early to determine how the DOE will make the erring gas stations liable for their violation, the entire gas-guzzling community of motorists deserves to be compensated for paying over and above the DOE price range.
Perhaps, one or two local gas stations would motu proprio lower their pump prices to the correct level and then ask motorists who overpaid for their fuel to bring their receipts and either get extra fuel or a cash refund.