A transport group has lined up a series of protest actions against runaway fuel prices.

The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) said they will hold a noise barrage at the House of Representatives in Quezon City Tuesday to protest the alleged overpricing of petroleum products and oil cartel during the Committee on energy hearing scheduled at 9:30 a.m.

Piston Secretary General George San Mateo said the protest will be staged by Piston members near Mitra Hall. The Piston leader will serve as a resource person in the hearing.

The group on Monday staged a noise barrage in front of Isetann Cubao to denounce the increases in prices of fuel for the past weeks.

The group is also studying the possibility of another nationwide transport strike. Piston already staged a strike last July 13 which paralyzed the public transportation system in several cities and provinces.

San Mateo said seeking a fare hike is not being considered by their group for the moment despite the increases in fuel prices as they would rather have the books of the “Big Three” oil firms audited to find out if they indeed indeed overpriced their products.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) had claimed that prevailing gasoline prices are overpriced by R8 per liter while research firm Ibon Foundation said diesel is overpriced by P3-P4 per liter.

“Sa ngayon gusto naming matuloy yung auditing ng mga oil companies muna. Last option namin ang pag-hingi ng taas-pasahe kasi malaki ang epekto nito sa mga pasahero,” San Mateo said.

The Piston leader said if the “Big Three” are proven to have overpriced their products, then the government should immediately correct the prevailing prices of fuel in the country. Roilo Golez, House Deputy Minority Leader, earlier filed House Resolution 659 calling on the Commission on Audit (COA) to check the books of the so-called “Big Three” oil firms “for signs of profiteering.”

“Big Three” refers to Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., and Chevron Philippines—the three biggest oil firms in the country.

The Supreme Court however earlier stopped a Manila court from implementing an order to audit the books of the “Big Three.”