MANILA – Oil companies are poised to implement marginal adjustments to pump prices for the week of December 15-21, 2025, with diesel expected to see a slight rollback of P0.10 to P0.30 per liter, while gasoline could swing either way by P0.10 per liter, according to industry trackers. Kerosene prices are anticipated to remain unchanged, reflecting a stabilizing influence from softening global crude benchmarks and regional supply dynamics, even as holiday demand lingers in the background.
The forecast, based on the first four-day average of the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) and foreign exchange (FX) movements as of December 12, 2025, signals a continuation of the volatile tango seen in recent weeks. Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas attributed the diesel dip to “a week-on-week decline in MOPS averages, buoyed by improved supply prospects from a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal and higher Chinese exports.” For gasoline, he noted the mixed outlook stems from “firm Asian prices due to tight supply and strong regional demand,” with low exports from China and South Korea keeping stocks lean. “Geopolitical tensions have kept premiums and freight rates elevated,” Bellas added, tempering the overall relief.
This comes after last week’s rollback, which shaved P2.90 off diesel and nudged gasoline up by P0.20, underscoring the market’s sensitivity to international cues. The Department of Energy (DOE) is monitoring closely to curb profiteering during the peak season, with Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad urging consumers to “shop smart and report anomalies via the hotline.” While the changes are modest, they could ease transport costs by 1-2% for commuters and operators, potentially stabilizing fares amid Simbang Gabi pilgrimages and year-end road trips.
For households plotting festive budgets, the diesel breather offers a small win on jeepney rides and deliveries, though gasoline’s uncertainty keeps the pump pain unpredictable. In a nation where every centavo fuels the fiesta, these tweaks feel like a tentative toast to stability—proving that even in the oil odyssey, a little less per liter goes a long way.
Projected Adjustments (Effective December 15, 2025):
| Fuel Type | Expected Change (per liter) | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | -P0.10 to -P0.30 | MOPS decline, China exports |
| Gasoline | ±P0.10 | Tight Asian supply |
| Kerosene | No change | Stable demand |