DFA Secretary Alberto del Rosario and Energy Secretary Jose Almendras: Two Faces of Government Service Under the Aquino Administration

Imagine, an old man rushing towards the war zone, with nary a care over his own security. And imagine another man, trying to defend the irrationality of oil companies. 


I commend DFA Secretary Alberto del Rosario for his recent decision to go to Libya and personally manage the repatriation of our fellow Filipinos there. Del Rosario has proved, once again, that government service is service from the heart. Del Rosario, indeed, is government service par excellence personified. 


I cannot say that to Energy secretary Jose Almendras. Almendras has prostituted himself before the footstools of big-time oil companies. Imagine, allowing oil companies to raise their pump prices and agreeing on the illogical formula being followed right now by his department and that of these oil companies. 


Del Rosario even risked his life just so the operation to extricate our fellow Filipinos from Libya would go on smoothly. Yes, the operation is not without faults. Many Filipinos complained that the DFA is very slow on responding to this emergency situation. But, hey, even other governments are slow, even, probably slower than us.


What was commendable about del Rosario is the fact that he showed that he is a General, a field commander, at that. His generalship is beyond reproach.


I am not about to say that about Almendras who probably sits there in his chair at the DOE doing nothing but count his numerous blessings. Almendras is doing nothing to at least ease the burdens of the People caused by these irrational oil price hikes. 


Almendras is a useless guy while Albert del Rosario is secretary extraordinaire. Noynoy Aquino was right when he appointed del Rosario to the post.

Energy Secretary Jose Almendras: The Logic of Philippine Oil Prices

Energy Secretary Jose Almendras made a big fool of himself last night over at TV Patrol. Noli de Castro asked him a very simple question which he failed to answer---when will we implement a cap in oil prices? 


De Castro explained that the people are really complaining over the irrational rise of pump oil prices. Imagine the policy of allowing big time oil companies to raise their prices depending on current crude oil price. 


Oil companies brought their stock a week ago, and stored it in their facilities. Based on DOE logic, if they use these old stocks now, the selling price would have to be the prevailing or current crude oil price. Meaning, this stupid DOE allows oil companies to buy oil at US$ 80/barrel last week and charge it to us by $ 110/barrel just because it is the prevailing price in the global market.


Stupid. Greedy. Evil.


And this government allows this to happen because of its neo-liberal economic policy of allowing free market forces to dictate the prices in the market. 


Also, appointing a former company executive as government's energy official is a wrong move. Almendras' mind is geared towards profits and sustainability--not about taking measures to ensure the protection of the people's welfare. 


I am not against company profits--what I am against is the irrational rise of prices due mainly to greed.


Senator Ralph Recto is correct---these oil companies should actually be asked or even forced to by government not to further raise their pump prices. Government's constitutional police powers allows it to restrain the greed of these companies. 


Now, there are two things government has to do to contain this situation:


1. Stop collecting VAT from oil temporarily; or
2. Put a cap on the price of pump oil