MANILA — The Department of Energy (DOE) said it has no authority to impose a cap on fuel prices despite the record weekly increase in pump prices, citing limitations under the Oil Deregulation Law.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the agency cannot regulate or control fuel prices unless Congress amends the law or grants the department emergency powers.

“We are constrained by the law and the deregulation that we do not have the powers to cap or to control the prices unless maybe they give us the authority or an amendment of the law, or emergency powers. As of now, speaking as DOE, DOE does not have the power to do so,” she said in a virtual briefing.

Fuel retailers are set to implement the largest pump price increase on record beginning Tuesday. Gasoline prices will rise by P7.00 to P13.00 per liter, diesel by P17.50 to P24.25 per liter, and kerosene by P32.00 to P38.50.

The price surge comes as the Strait of Hormuz—a major global shipping route between Iran and Oman—has been closed amid ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The corridor is considered one of the world’s most critical oil export routes, linking major Gulf producers to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Garin said amending the Oil Deregulation Law could help give the DOE a degree of authority to regulate fuel prices in the future, but the government is currently focused on addressing immediate concerns.

“I do believe that is a good option for us, a certain degree that DOE would have the mandate to regulate to a certain extent the prices of oil, especially pump prices. That is a welcome change for us in the future. What we are seeking now is the immediate solutions that we can find in the next two, three, or four weeks,” she said.

“The Oil Deregulation doesn’t only speak about prices. There are other things that it regulates, so maybe an amendment to the law, not the entire law. If Congress wishes to do so, that is the legislative action. As an executive, we will only follow what the law says,” she added.

Garin also said there is currently no need to impose limits on fuel purchases, despite reports that some retailers have started restricting volumes.

“We haven’t issued anything on that yet and I don’t think we are anticipating that. So far, as our computations are, if we do consumer as much as we historically do, there’s no need to cap the consumption,” she said.

“I think practically, a public utility, that would not be allowed… Let me just check on that with my lawyers, but I don’t think you can limit public service,” she added.

The Philippines is also seeking alternative sources of fuel products even as current supplies remain sufficient until the end of April, according to Garin.

“We have more than enough time so there’s no shortage. What will distort the market is if some people, unscrupulous people, would hoard kasi masisira talaga kasi ano na yan, may trend na ‘yan kung ilan naco-consume natin everyday, how much we need for supply for the next 15 days,” she said.

“But if there are people that keep on hoarding and hoarding and probably think that they can sell it more expensive in the next few weeks, then that will really affect us, so let’s guard ourselves against that,” she added.

DOE Undersecretary Alessandro “Sandy” Sales said the Philippines traditionally imports petroleum products from Asian suppliers such as China, South Korea, and Singapore.

He said the government is also exploring supplies from the United States, Canada, Australia, and India.

“The US has relaxed the ban on Russian crude trading. India gets a lot of its crude oil from Russia as well, so it will open the tap and we think this action can relieve some of the regional pressures on finished products,” Sales said.