Concerned sectors are crossing their fingers that President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III would order a “review” of the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998 (Republic Act 8479), something which he hinted he would do when he named members of his Cabinet last week.

It is the much-maligned Oil Deregulation Law that has denied the public of its direct participation in fuel price debates, claimed Efren de Luna, president of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO). ACTO is composed of an estimated 365,000 jeepney drivers and operators around the country.

“Kailangan talagang baguhin o i-repeal ang Oil Deregulation Law dahil inalisan nito ng kapangyarihan ang taumbayan (The Oil Deregulation Law must either be changed or repealed because it stripped the people of its power),” De Luna told the Manila Bulletin/ Tempo.

“Buti pa noong panahon ni Marcos, dumadaan muna sa public hearing bago ang price hike. Ngayon ay mga oil company na lang ang pinapanigan ng batas,” he said. (“It was better during Marcos’ time since price hike had to go through public hearings first. Now the law only favors the oil companies.”)

De Luna continued: “Ituloy sana ni P-noy ang pagpapa-repaso sa Oil Deregulation Law na ang tanging pinoprotektahan lang ay mga oil companies.” (“Hopefully, P-noy goes for the review of the Oil Deregulation Law, which protects no one else but the oil companies.”)