Leaders of the House of Representatives on Tuesday chided petroleum companies for warning about a possible oil supply shortage in their compliance to Malacañang’s directive for them to keep the October 15 price levels in the wake of two powerful tropical cyclones that hit the country recently.

House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles said oil firms are apparently resorting to “blackmail” in order to force President Arroyo to withdraw Executive Order 839 even as he warned that such action could boomerang on them.

“Supply shortage will open a crisis where government can interfere in accordance with the laws on the matter,” Nograles said in a text message.

“This kind of threat or mild blackmail won’t fly. In the national interest, the government will take over. I strongly advice them not to test this route,” the Speaker added.

Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight, said this blackmail threat from oil companies showed their insensitivity and lack of cooperation during this time caused by tropical storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.”

Suarez also maintained that EO 839 is justified in light of recent oil price hikes while the state of calamity has not been fully lifted.

“Blackmailing government about a possible oil supply shortage is certainly not a way for oil companies to help our countrymen during these difficult times. They should temporarily set aside their interest and cooperate with government in lessening the hardship of those affected by recent typhoons,” he said.

Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said oil firms have a lot of explaining to do if the country faces an oil supply shortage.

“The worse that can happen is an artificial shortage in light of these warnings from oil companies. Government will not allow this to happen,” he said.

As the President said, the government must exercise the powers conferred upon it within the limits set by the laws to prevent predatory pricing, unreasonable pricing and cartelization that the oil industry players may resort to, Javier said.

“This is the best time for oil companies to show their sensitivity and cooperation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo urged further steps other than EO 839 to bring down the prices of oil products, noting the supposed difficulties being encountered by Malacañang and the Department of Justice in their efforts to stop the oil firms from raising their prices.

“Is it so surprising that the oil companies show the least hesitation in defying Malacañang’s orders for a freeze on oil prices?” Ocampo asked.

“For the longest time, the oil companies have gotten their way and jacked up their prices at the slightest excuse and the inhabitants of Malacañang did not bat an eyelash. Now that there’s an even more critical situation facing the country in the aftermath of the typhoons, Shell, Caltex, and Petron cannot be expected to just suddenly obey,” he said.