MBC, FPI buck halt to oil smuggling case vs Phoenix

The Makati Business Club (MBC) and the Federation of Philippine Industries have (FPI) joined the Department of Finance (DOF) in lamenting a court order that halts a case against Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. and the people who helped in an alleged smuggling of oil.

The Court of Appeals’ special 10th division earlier this month issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the enforcement of a Department of Justice (DOJ) resolution that pushes for the filing of smuggling charges against Phoenix president Dennis Uy, customs broker Jorlan Cabanes and several John Does.

The CA was acting on a petition for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction filed by Cabanes, which it will hear on June 27.

For its part, Phoenix has filed a motion at the DOJ asking the agency to reconsider its reversal of an earlier resolution that cleared the company of the BOC’s allegations.

In a statement, the MBC expressed full support to the efforts of the DOF and other agencies of the executive to stop smuggling activities.

In a separate statement, FPI chair Jesus L. Arranza said it was disheartening to see antismuggling efforts put to waste because of injunctions or TROs.”