J. Albert Gamboa l April 21, 2023 l The Manila Times
ENERGY Secretary Raphael Lotilla and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual recently signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 11592 which was passed by Congress in October 2021. Set for full implementation in 2024 by the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector, RA 11592 is also known as the LPG Industry Regulation Act. The IRR signing paved the way for the holding of the 1st LPG Summit last month at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Industry participants have joined hands in rolling out a series of information forums to educate the public about the new law. Among those who expressed support for RA 11592 were Ramon Ang of Petron Corp., Banjo Castillo of Isla LPG Corp. and Arnel Ty of Republic Gas Corp. (Regasco). Ty is currently the president of the LPG Marketers Association (LPGMA), a party-list group which he represented in the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2019.
Not many are aware that around two decades ago, Petron filed cases against the owners and officers of Regasco, including Arnel Ty and his wife Marie Antonette, for unfair competition. These cases involved the alleged refilling of some Petron-labeled LPG containers at Regasco’s Malabon plant.
Settlement through mediation was initially recommended by the Malabon Regional Trial Court, but the two parties preferred to undergo trial starting 2015. Several witnesses and tons of documents were presented in court hearings that went on for years.
While the three cases were pending, Petron and Regasco got involved in a common advocacy for the safe use of LPG in Filipino households. They jointly pushed for the passage of the LPG regulatory bills in both houses of Congress. Thus, in November 2022, Petron’s legal counsel requested the court to dismiss these cases by issuing an affidavit of desistance and filing a withdrawal of appearance as private prosecutor.
However, the court decided to proceed with the judgment since the trial process had been completed substantially. In February 2023, the judge ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its cases beyond reasonable doubt, and therefore acquitted the Ty couple along with their co-defendants. Now, all’s well that ends well between Regasco and Petron.
In his capacity as LPGMA president, Ty has called on his fellow industry players to ensure the safety of LPG products and their usage throughout the country. It may be noted that 40 percent of Filipino households use LPG for cooking and heating food at home, especially during the pandemic.
The strengthened partnership between LPG sector participants should be emulated by other industries in an increasingly competitive corporate landscape. Business collaboration enables companies to bolster growth and drive innovation by pooling their resources and expertise. It serves as the key to unlocking many benefits for corporate organizations through strategic alliances that create a strong foundation for sustainable development.
*** The author is the chief finance officer of Asian Center for Legal Excellence and vice chairman of the Finex Ethics Committee. The opinion expressed herein does not necessarily reflect the views of these institutions and The Manila Times. #FinexPhils www.finex.org.ph.