Former Senator Ralph Recto yesterday said oil companies should give back their over-recovery in the price of fuel considering the calamity situation in the country.

Recto said he has testified as a witness in a court case against overpricing of oil and last Monday the oil companies were not prepared to cross-examine him.

He said they pointed out in court that in Manila last year there was over-pricing by as much as P3.

Rector said “I understand that in Bacolod and Negros oil prices are even higher than in Cebu .” The matter should be investigated, he said.

If electricity and water have been regulated, why can petroleum not be regulated? He asked.

Recto said that when the Supreme Court found out that MERALCO was over-charging, it was made to refund its concessionaires.

“So if you have proven that they have overcharged you, they should also provide a refund in the future,” he said.

This is one of the issues he would like to vote on in the Senate to make sure that there will be no abuses, whether by the government or by private companies.

Bacolod Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus said they welcome the move of Recto and that the Sangguniang Panlungsod had passed a resolution requesting for a Congressional inquiry on the glaring difference in the pricing of petroleum products in the city against that in Manila .

Meanwhile, Recto said he was invited to attend the activity of the barangay captains in Bacolod City yesterday so he took the opportunity to meet with his friends, leaders and supporters who helped him in the last elections. He consulted them on many issues such as what they will do if they win, he said.

Recto, who is planning to run for Senator in 2010, said he is still waiting for his party to come up with a decision on which group he will be running under.

Many are saying they want to win but no one is saying what they will do after they win, he said.

“Considering the magnitude of our problem, it is imperative for us to find out what will be the platform of the different political parties,” he added.

Recto said he was with Lakas as an adopted candidate of the party in the last elections. He said he is being invited by all parties, the Nacionalista, the Nationalist People's Coalition, the Liberal Party, and there is a standing invitation from the administration as well, he added.

Recto said his wife Vilma Santos is not running for vice president but will again run for governor of Batangas.

While in Bacolod , Recto called on officials of the city and the province and was welcomed yesterday by Sayson and some councilors at the Bacolod City Government, as well as, Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Dino Yulo, together with some board members and mayors of the province at the Provincial Capitol.

Recto said he discussed with them some concerns and added that he wants to talk to as many leaders in Negros as possible.

He also met with Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra to ask what advice he can give him and also to consult him on many issues, including those that would be close to the Catholic church.

He will also consult church-based organizations, not only the business groups, he said, to know if they have also been affected by the economic crisis.*CGS

back to top