Citing the “extraordinary” circumstances caused by the war in Iran, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday pushed for a shorter time for the President before suspending – or restoring – the excise tax on fuel upon the recommendation of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).
Lacson suggested to reduce the period to average the Dubai crude oil price based on Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) from the present one month to two weeks before suspending excise taxes, so consumers can immediately feel some relief from rising fuel costs.
“With all due respect, two weeks is not irrelevant. It has a big effect on consumers. Ang two weeks na matitipid mo sa pagkarga ng gas, malaking bagay yan (With all due respect, a two-week difference is not irrelevant. It has a big effect on consumers. Two weeks where they can save on fuel prices is a big deal),” he said during his interpellation of Senate Bill 1982, allowing the automatic suspension or reduction of excise tax on petroleum products.
In Filipino: Lacson, Isinulong ang Mas Maikling Panahon para Aksyunan sa Excise Fuel Taxes
“I will not make this suggestion kung walang Iran war. Kung iba ang circumstances, hindi ako gagawa. These are extraordinary times, pwedeng mag-spike hanggang $200 per barrel (I would not have made this suggestion if there were no Iran war. If circumstances were different, I would not do it. But these are extraordinary times where oil prices can spike to up to $200 per barrel),” he added.
Lacson also said the two-week period can work the other way, where government can restore the excise tax after two weeks so it will not lose more revenue.
He noted that the government has already projected at least P136 billion in foregone revenues for 2026 – which when added to the P200-billion budget shortfall for this year will mean a P336-billion deficit for the government.
“In fairness to the tax collectors, to the government’s efforts sa tax collection, iksian natin ang period from one month to two weeks na ma-restore ang excise tax. So it can work both ways (In fairness to the tax collectors and the government’s tax collection efforts, we can shorten the period from one month to two weeks to restore the excise tax. So it can work both ways),” he said.
Meanwhile, Lacson stressed the need for the government to prioritize the essentials in spending. He cited an earlier suggestion he made to now-Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to help address the huge deficit by not implementing for now the infrastructure projects and other items inserted by legislators that were marked “For Issuance of SARO (FISARO)” or impounded.
“Doon kumaltas para ma-compensate ang shortfall na P200 billion at the time. This was before the attack on Iran (Doing this can help compensate for the P200-billion shortfall at the time. This was before the attack on Iran),” he said.
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Lacson, Isinulong ang Mas Maikling Panahon para Aksyunan sa Excise Fuel Taxes
Dahil sa “extraordinary” na sitwasyon dulot ng digmaan sa Iran, iginiit ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Martes ang mas maikling panahon para sa Pangulo bago suspindihin o ibalik ang excise tax sa gasolina, batay sa rekomendasyon ng Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).
Iminungkahi ni Lacson na ibaba ang panahon na i-average ang Dubai crude oil price base sa Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) mula sa kasalukuyang isang buwan sa dalawang linggo bago suspindihin ang excise taxes, para maramdaman ng mamimili ang ginhawa sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis.
“With all due respect, two weeks is not irrelevant. It has a big effect on consumers. Ang two weeks na matitipid mo sa pagkarga ng gas, malaking bagay yan,” aniya.
“I will not make this suggestion kung walang Iran war. Kung iba ang circumstances, hindi ako gagawa. These are extraordinary times, pwedeng mag-spike hanggang $200 per barrel ,” dagdag niya.
Ani Lacson, puwede ring gamitin ang dalawang linggong palugit para maibalik ang excise tax upang hindi mawalan ng mas maraming kita ang pamahalaan.
Binanggit niya na tinatayang P136 bilyon na ang mawawalang kita ng gobyerno para sa 2026, na kapag idinagdag sa P200-bilyong budget shortfall ngayong taon ay aabot sa P336 bilyon ang kakulangan ng pamahalaan.
“In fairness to the tax collectors, to the government’s efforts sa tax collection, iksian natin ang period from one month to two weeks na ma-restore ang excise tax. So it can work both ways,” dagdag niya.
Kasabay nito, iginiit ni Lacson ang pangangailangan ng pamahalaan na unahin ang mahahalaga sa paggastos. Binanggit niya ang naunang suhestiyon niya sa ngayo’y Executive Secretary Ralph Recto upang makatulong sa malaking kakulangan sa badyet sa pamamagitan ng pansamantalang hindi pagpapatupad ng mga infrastructure projects at iba pang items na ipinasok ng mga mambabatas na may markang “For Issuance of SARO (FISARO)” o impounded.
“Doon kumaltas para ma-compensate ang shortfall na P200 billion at the time. This was before the attack on Iran ,” ani Lacson.
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