The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) has denied the motion for reconsideration of a lawyers group which sought for the reversal of a court's earlier ruling that rejected a petition to stop Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Chevron Philippines Inc. (formerly Caltex Philippines Inc.), and Petron Corp. from raising pump prices weekly.

It would be recalled that lawyers group called Social Justice Society (SJS) had asked Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. of the Manila RTC Branch 26 last January 25 to overturn its earlier ruling as it was contrary to the judges' previous decision requiring the big three oil companies (Big 3) to open and examine their books.

The Social Justice Society, in its motion for reconsideration, said the ruling of Manila Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. junking the group’s bid for a temporary restraining order was contrary to the magistrates’ previous decision requiring Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, Caltex Philippines Inc. and Petron Corporation to open and examine their books.

They reminded Pampilo that his decision to require the companies to open their books was premised on allegations of excessive oil price hikes, cartelization, and price fixing by these oil companies. (Leonard Postrado)