MALACAÑANG remained unfazed Saturday over a legal challenge from a major oil firm against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Executive Order 839, which imposed a price ceiling on fuel prices in Luzon.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said while the Palace will respect the court’s decision on EO 839, it will stand by what it said is “the greater good for the greatest number.”

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“That is the right of Shell under the law to seek redress for imagined grievances (but) it is the right of the people to complain against what they feel is opportunistic tendencies ng dambuhalang (of big) companies. (And) it is the responsibility of government to protect the interest of the greater good,” Remonde said on government-run dzRB radio.

On Friday, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation filed an urgent petition with the Makati Regional Trial Court to order Malacañang to lift EO 839, which freezes Luzon fuel prices to October 15 levels.

Shell’s petition for prohibition, mandamus, and injunction sought a temporary restraining order against the implementation of EO 839, whose constitutionality it questioned.

Remonde said the government welcomes the petition of Shell, but insisted the government will “not be blackmailed.”

“As I mentioned, the government will not be blackmailed by oil companies on this issue,” he added.

But the Palace official declined to discuss the merits of the case, and would only say Malacañang is “standing by on what it is doing for the greater good of the greatest number.”

“Dapat makining ang oil companies sa damdamin ng bayan (Oil companies should listen to the voice of the people),” said Remonde.

He also said that while the Palace will abide by the court’s ruling if it issues a temporary restraining order, “the question is whether Shell will abide.”

“Consistent ang ating government (The government is consistent). We have always been for the rule of law and we always abide by court decision once these are final and executory,” he said. (JMR/Sunnex)