Former dealer’s suit vs Chevron still at preliminary stage

MANILA, Philippines - Chevron Philippines Inc., the company operating the Caltex brand, yesterday clarified that the case for illegal monopoly filed by Petroleum Distributors and Services Corp. (PDSC), a former dealer of Chevron, is still at the preliminary stage of the proceedings before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court.

The company has filed a motion for reconsideration of the order finding probable cause. It also filed a motion for voluntary inhibition and motion to quash information, all of which must be resolved first before trial begins and any discussion on liability can be made.

The oil firm said the Pasay prosecutor has already issued an order last May 16 that it needs to conduct a trial to determine the truth behind the allegations.

“The Pasay City prosecutor’s resolution cited in the May 16 order is currently pending review by the Department of Justice,” Chevron said in a statement.

The company said that a similar complained filed by PDSC had been dismissed by the Makati Prosecutor’s Office.

“It is unfortunate that the Pasay Prosecutor’s Office came out with a different finding even after the Department of Justice has found no basis to charge Chevron and its former directors with monopolies and combinations in restraint of trade,” it said in a statement yesterday.

Chevron’s statement came in response to reports that the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office has issued a warrant of arrest on its former directors.

“It should be emphasized that Chevron’s former directors who have yet to post bail are not evading arrest as alleged in several news reports. The nine former directors of Chevron who have been implicated did not leave the Philippines because of the cases filed by PDSC. These personnel have long been out of the country prior to the filing of PDSC’s baseless suits,” Chevron said.