Jetti, Phoenix deny smuggling allegations

Independents Jetti Petroleum Inc. and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. denied smuggling allegations raised by Petron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.
“The recent reports coming from big oil players Petron and Shell on the revenue collection leaks have put in a bad light the government revenue collecting agencies, the export processing zones, the shipping industry, and the small oil industry, among other stakeholders,” Jetti Corporate Affairs Manager Leo Bellas said in a statement.
Bellas said Petron and Shell cast, “aspersions on the conduct of business of small oil players to call attention to the possible causes of the revenue leaks from collecting agencies.”
Petron alleged that around P30 billion (US$725.7 million) of government revenues were lost annually due to oil smuggling.
“Jetti is one of those small players being affected by all these controversies. We wish to clarify that there has been no real case filed in the courts against our company and that we are also one with the government in resolving this issue once and for all,” Bellas said.
Bellas said Jetti upheld the highest standards of business practice and ethics and complied with all Philippine laws. He said Jetti complied with paying the correct amount of duties and taxes on all its imported oil products.
Phoenix also said the alleged charges mentioned in reports had been dismissed by the justice department for lack of merit.
“In its resolution, the DoJ declared there was no unlawful importation and that Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. has fully paid the duties, taxes and fees on the subject importation,” Phoenix said.
Jetti said it was committed to help the Bureau of Customs in its mission to eradicate smuggling in the oil industry.
(April 4, 2013)