DOE backs emergency takeover of oil industry

The Department of Energy is ready to take over oil firms in case of a national emergency after the Supreme Court (SC) upheld its emergency takeover power.

- PATRICK MIGUEL

In a statement, the DOE said it “respects and supports” the ruling of the high tribunal upholding Section 14(e) of Republic Act 8479 or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act.

“The DOE is committed to implementing Section 14(e) of the said law as the public interest may require in times of national emergency, in accordance with the Constitution and the applicable laws and consistent with the President’s intent or instructions,” the agency said.

The ruling of the SC en banc penned by acting Chief Justice Marvic Leonen granted the petition for review on certiorari filed by former executive secretary Leandro Mendoza, the DOE-Department of Justice Joint Task Force and the late energy secretary Angelo Reyes.

The petition challenged the rulings of the Court of Appeals (CA), which affirmed the Regional Trial Court’s (RTC) decision declaring Section 14(e) of RA 8479 unconstitutional.