Palace brushes aside criticisms vs Almendras

Malacañang on Sunday shrugged off calls from critics to fire Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras for allegedly acting as spokesman for oil firms. Presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte said Almendras is doing his best to mitigate the effects of rising oil prices brought by political tensions in the Middle East and North Africa. “Almendras is doing the best he can... to explain to stakeholders and the public what is happening. He is also explaining the steps being taken to address the problem [on rising fuel prices]," she said on government-run dzRB radio. The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide on Saturday said Almendras should be ousted for acting as a spokesman for oil companies. The transport group also dismissed as publicity gimmick the interagency body created by President Benigno Aquino III tasked to address a possible oil crisis due to the unrest. Valte also belied the group’s accusations that Almendras was acting as a spokesman for oil firms and conditioning the public mind to accept oil price hikes. “The secretary is merely explaining what is happening. Even if you turn on your television, you will find that fuel prices are rising not only in the Philippines but also in other countries, because of what is happening in Libya," she said. Valte maintained that the supply of oil in the country is stable, saying the Energy Department has assured the government that the supply will be “sufficient in the coming months." — JE, GMA News