The House of Representatives needs to look into the outrageous prices of diesel in the Philippines, which according to a lawmaker is outpacing those other countries in Asia.

Making this call for a House inquiry on Thursday, March 26 was Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" Ordanes, who expressed great concern over the ripple effects of the skyrocketing fuel prices on elderly Filipinos.

Ordanes reckoned that at the very least, energy industry players have some explaining to do.

"I am aghast as to why diesel which is the fuel used by jeepney drivers is soaring to uncontrollable levels when in fact if the DOE (Department of Energy) claims we have 45 days then the increase should be proportionate to the stock inventory we have," he said in a statement

"This is plain and simple profiteering which the DOE has failed to rein in on," rued Ordanes.

He claimed that across Asia, the Philippines ranked the highest in terms of the increase in fuel prices. He did not provide any comparative figures on the prices.

Ordanes said that this betrayed the country’s lack of refineries and stockpiling capability.

"I am requesting the energy committee of the House to conduct a hearing and as a representative of seniors many of whom are still plying the streets as jeepney, tricycle and taxi drivers I will make sure to look after their interest," he said.

Filipinos consumers are dealing with the third double-digit increase in pump fuel prices in as many weeks. In Metro Manila and nearby provinces, diesel is now well above P100 per liter--nearly twice its cost less than a month ago.

"Kalunos lunos na ang sitwasyon ng kawawa natin mga driver at may isang naiyak na sa pighati dahil sa walang pagtulong mula sa pamahalaan. At nagtataka tayo kung bakit nawawala na ang tiwala ng taong bayan sa gobyerno," said the elderly congressman.

(The situation of our poor drivers has become heartbreaking, with one even moved to tears in grief because of the government’s lack of support. And we wonder why the people’s trust in the government is disappearing.)

Ordanes also pressed on government to come up with a comprehensive electric vehicle industry plan especially for public transportation in view of the country's vulnerability to traditional fuel sources.