Inevitably, and by all indications, fuel prices will rise again. If it has not already, since today is Tuesday.

Let’s take liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), for example, which is more of a fuel of necessity for most Filipino households. As of this writing (Easter Sunday) and depending on where you are and what brand of cooking gas you order for your kitchen, the real pain is already here.

Where I am from in Quezon City, the 11-kilogram LPG tank I regularly get is now brushing the P1,800 range, from the P1,160 price just a little over a month ago. And this is for a commodity government insists is not in short supply.

If that claim is true, the price is punishing for a fuel not short in supply. When LPG climbs, the stomach surely grumbles: ulam at the karinderya is either more expensive or spread out on the plate like half an order; rice servings are shaved; and the pandesal shrinks quietly without much complaint from customers.

We Pinoys are headed for dieting, abstinence, or fasting well beyond the Lenten Season. A less-fed Juan and Juana, though, may be music to the ears of the congresswoman who announced several weeks ago that our nation should be alarmed, as over 40+ percent of our adult population is obese or overweight. Well, perhaps here’s an opportunity to force a national diet.

Sadly, we can’t kid ourselves. This is certainly not a solution for better health, but about inflation tightening its grip.

Diesel is projected to spike by as much as ₱20 per liter. Gasoline and kerosene follow. Public transport, logistics, food chains — all will adjust, and never seem downward as the real pressures of wars in the Middle East and even between Russia and Ukraine bear down on the throats of nations like ours that are dependent on oil imports.

Which is precisely why the fake “energy lockdown” advisory that spread like wildfire over Holy Week is not just irresponsible — it is dangerous.

Malacañang, through Usec. Claire Castro has repeatedly shut it down: there is no energy lockdown on April 20. President Marcos Jr. himself has assured supply stability through June 30. And yet, rumor merchants persist — complete with forged logos and doomsday checklists urging people to hoard.

This is not harmless chatter. It is economic sabotage.

False claims distort behavior. They trigger panic-buying, strain supply chains, and artificially drive up prices. They erode trust in institutions at the very moment clarity is needed. In a fragile energy environment, misinformation doesn’t just mislead — it manipulates markets.

Firing Line is full-on behind Acting Communications Secretary Dave Gomez when he said there must be zero tolerance for purveyors of fake news on energy issues. The law is clear and should be applied to them — because those who deliberately spread lies in a time of economic strain are enemies from within.

They are market saboteurs, preying on public anxiety, distorting prices, and pushing ordinary Filipinos closer to panic, scarcity, and unnecessary hardship.

At this time, Filipinos must learn to consume information the way they should consume fuel in a crisis — carefully, deliberately, and from reliable sources. Not every forwarded message deserves belief. Not every viral post deserves a share.

We are already dealing with enough real problems. We do not need invented ones.

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SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, email firingline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View via X app (formerly Twitter). Read current and past issues of this column at https://www.thephilbiznews.com

The Feb. 27–March 2 poll, conducted by Pulse Asia and released Thursday, found that 41% of respondents want leaders to address “more affordable food prices in your area such as rice, meat, and fish.” This marks a 3-point increase from December 2025, with Balance Luzon (41% → 46%) and Mindanao (40% → 46%) showing the largest upticks. The shift was most pronounced among Class E respondents (+7 points, 33% → 40%).

Meanwhile, 26% cited the need to “lessen or eliminate corruption to provide better community services,” down 5 points from 31% in the previous survey—coinciding with the winding down of flood control scandal investigations.

Interest in job creation also rose, with 24% calling for “more jobs and livelihood opportunities,” up from 21% in December. The increase was most notable in Visayas, where support jumped 27% → 43%.

Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit, Stratbase Institute president and CEO, said the results highlight growing concern over food security and inflation, as Filipinos now pay P94–P115 per liter of fuel following recent double-digit price hikes.

“Geopolitical tensions are directly impacting Filipino households,” Manhit said. “While corruption remains an important issue, ordinary citizens are more focused on immediate economic pressures, including food prices and income stability.”

The findings align with a separate Pulse Asia survey showing inflation (47%) and corruption (36%) as the top national concerns.

Manhit urged the government to stabilize food and fuel prices, crack down on profiteering, and expand state subsidies to shield vulnerable sectors from shocks.

“Addressing rising food prices must go hand in hand with creating jobs and ensuring that economic gains reach local communities,” he added.

Other concerns in the Stratbase survey include “providing accessible education and healthcare services” (10%, unchanged from December 2025).

The survey coincided with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel. The resulting fuel hikes in the Philippines have raised fears of inflation spilling over to essential goods.

The survey polled 1,200 respondents with a ±2.8% margin of error.

Cleanfuel will implement Extended PRICE ROLLBACK on DIESEL from March 18-21, 2022 at 4:01PM.

Here are the following stations with P5.00/L PRICE ROLLBACK:

Ortigas West, Pasig
Pico, Baguio
Magliman, Pampanga
Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan
San Fernando La Union
Kawit, Cavite
Doña Soledad, Parañaque
Binalonan, Pangasinan
Lemery, Batangas
Calamba, Laguna
Congressional Extension, QC
Olongapo, Zambales
Santa Rosa, Laguna
Pioneer, Mandaluyong
Sumulong, Rizal
Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong
Samson Road, Caloocan
Biñan, Laguna
Commonwealth, QC
Lipa, Batangas
Taytay, Rizal
Los Baños, Laguna
Pedro Gil, Manila
Mc Arthur, Pampanga
E. Rodriguez, QC
Bagumbong, Caloocan
Dasmariñas, Cavite
Dimasalang, Manila
Amang, Pasig
Quirino, Manila
España, Manila
Ortigas Extension, Pasig
Timog, QC
EDSA Philam, QC
Boni Serrano, QC
P. Tuazon, QC
Congressional, QC

Meanwhile, here are the following stations with P3.00/L PRICE ROLLBACK:

Rosario, La Union
Halsema, Baguio
Magsaysay, Baguio
Bokawkan, Baguio
San Pablo, Laguna
Alabang-Zapote, Las Piñas
Candelaria, Quezon
Baclaran, Parañaque
San Luis, Antipolo
Angeles, Pampanga
Mabalacat, Pampanga
Sucat, Parañaque
Pulilan, Bulacan
Bacoor, Cavite
Pozorrubio, Pangasinan
Kamagong-Vito Cruz, Makati
Urdaneta, Pangasinan
Baler, QC
San Ildefonso, Bulacan
Naic, Cavite
Villasis, Pangasinan
Imelda, Rizal
Mayon, QC
Sariaya, Quezon
Meycauayan, Bulacan
J. Abad Santos, Manila
Marcos Highway, Pasig
Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong
Balagtas, Batangas
Edsa-Caloocan, Caloocan
J.P. Rizal, Makati
Tanay, Rizal
Edsa Cubao, QC

GOOD NEWS!

Cleanfuel will implement price rollback for diesel products from March 16-18. The following Cleanfuel stations will start P5.00/liter rollback:

Magliman Dagat-Dagatan San Fernando La Union Kawit Binalonan Lemery Congressional Extension Olongapo Santa Rosa Pioneer Sumulong Boni Avenue Samson Commonwealth Lipa Taytay Pedro Gil McArthur E.Rodriguez Bagumbong Dasmariñas Dimasalang Amang Quirino Espanya Timog Philam Boni Serrano P.Tuazon V.Luna

Meanwhile, here are the following stations with P3.00/L PRICE ROLLBACK: Rosario (La Union) Halsema Magsaysay Bokawkan San Pablo Baclaran San Luis Angeles Mabalacat Sucat Pulilan Bacoor Pozorrubio Soledad Kamagong-Vito Cruz Baler Calamba San Ildefonso Villasis Imelda Mayon Sariaya Meycauayan J.Abad Santos Shaw Boulevard Balagtas Biñan Ortigas West Ortigas Extension Edsa-Caloocan Los Baños Tanay Edsa Cubao Congressional