Gov’t should ‘seriously consider’ suspending excise taxes on fuel — Gatchalian

The government should “seriously consider” suspending the excise taxes on petroleum products amid the implementation of big-time price hike, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Monday.

“[The] government should seriously consider suspending excise taxes on fuel if the uncertainty caused by the Ukraine-Russian conflict will be protracted,” Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate energy committee, said in a statement.

According to the senator, suspending excise taxes on fuel will bring down the gasoline retail prices by P11.20 per liter and diesel prices by P6.72 per liter.

“This will enable public utility drivers and food transporters to have short term breathing space during these uncertain times,” Gatchalian explained.

He also called on the administration to immediately release the P2.5 billion funds for the Pantawid Pasada program and the P500 million fuel subsidy for the farmers under the 2022 national budget.

Apart from Gatchalian, Senators Risa Hontiveros and Joel Villanueva pushed for the suspension of excise taxes on fuel products.

Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda on Monday also prodded President Rodrigo Duterte to call for a Congress special session in view of the continuous increase in fuel prices.

He said it is Duterte’s “moral obligation to the people to provide relief because that means almost 75 days of suffering already.”

Congress had adjourned session last February 4 and will only resume session by May 23 or after the May 9 national and local elections.

Congress, however, can resume session if President Rodrigo Duterte calls for it.

Earlier, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Alexei Nograles said there was no indication that Duterte will call for a special session for Congress to act on measures that will address the unabated fuel price hikes, including suspension of fuel tax.

Last week, Malacañang called on Congress to review the Oil Deregulation Law amid the weekly increase in oil prices and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The biggest price hike on fuel products so far this year is set to be implemented on Tuesday.

The DOE earlier said prices are expected to increase further in the coming weeks citing the limited output and the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Russia, a major exporter.

Economic managers also said they are closely monitoring the factors impacting domestic oil prices, with the government preparing some P2.5 billion for fuel subsidies of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers. — Hana Bordey/RSJ, GMA News