Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may soon be granted the authority to reduce or suspend fuel excise taxes after the House of Representatives adopted the Senate proposal, expediting the legislative process.
Lawmakers announced the development during separate plenary sessions on Wednesday, March 18 — the last session day before the six-week congressional break.
At the House, Deputy Majority Leader Luigi Villafuerte moved to adopt the Senate bill, which authorizes a tax cut if the average price of Dubai crude oil reaches or exceeds $80 per barrel for at least one month.
No objections were raised.
Unlike the House version, the Senate bill does not require the president to declare a state of national emergency or calamity, simplifying the process.
It also shortens the duration of any tax reduction or suspension to three months, compared to the six months proposed by the House.
”This foregoes the bicam,” Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III announced during session, referring to the bicameral conference committee that would have reconciled differences in the two versions.
He added that the measure will now be treated as an enrolled bill and sent to Malacañang for the president’s signature.
The bill, which aims to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices driven by the Middle East crisis, provides that excise taxes will automatically revert one week after average oil prices fall below $80 per barrel for a full month, or after three months — whichever comes first.
The Department of Finance said a suspension would reduce gasoline prices by ₱11.20 per liter and diesel by ₱6.72.
Under the bill, the president’s authority to implement the tax adjustment will be in effect until December 31, 2028, within the Marcos administration.
