Article by:
Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – The Senate is prepared to convene a special session if necessary to address measures aimed at cushioning the impact of rising fuel prices, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Wednesday.
Sotto said the chamber remains on standby for possible action on fuel-related proposals, including tax adjustments and other interventions, as the country grapples with global oil price volatility.
“Posible, most probably, the President will sign into law yung mga enrolled bill na pinadala ko kahapon… Puwede na rin pag-usapan… Kailangan ng special session, sige, walang problema, nandito lang tayo (the enrolled bills I sent yesterday… These can also be discussed… If a special session is needed, there is no problem, we are here),” Sotto said in a radio interview.
He noted that only the President can call for a special session, but senators are expected to attend once convened.
“Pag nag special session, kailangan umuwi sila (When a special session is called, they have to return),” he said.
Sotto said the Senate continues to study various options to ease the burden of high fuel prices, including the possible suspension or adjustment of value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products.
“Puwedeng pag-aralan 'yan (That can be studied),” he said, referring to proposals such as VAT zero-rating on fuel.
At the same time, Sotto reiterated that longer-term reforms are also being considered, including proposals to repeal the Oil Deregulation Law and restore government oversight of the industry.
“Basta anything na makakaginhawa sa mga Filipino, yun dapat ang kilos ng gobyerno, hindi para sa kaginhawaan ng negosyante (Anything that will bring relief to Filipinos should guide government action, not the convenience of businesses),” he said.
The Senate earlier approved measures seeking to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices, including proposals on fuel tax relief, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East that threaten global supply.
Sotto said the chamber remains ready to act swiftly in coordination with the executive branch to ensure timely interventions. (PNA)
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