Shell’s overdue IPO: A test of Duterte’s political will

A CRUCIAL test of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte’s political will is whether he can stand up to Pilipinas Shell Petroleum, the local subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc., and give the Dutch oil giant an ultimatum: follow the law by conducting the long-delayed initial public offering (IPO) before the end of the year or close down its Batangas refinery.

We recall that during the campaign, Duterte was portrayed by his rabid supporters as “a strong leader, a leader with political will, someone who is not afraid to implement the law without fear or favor, no matter who gets hurt in the process.” Well, in the case of Shell’s pending IPO, Duterte only needs to do precisely that: implement the law without fear or favor—and soon.