Lacson Backs DOE-Mandated Fuel Adjustments, Stresses Fair Pricing

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday backed the Department of Energy (DOE)’s move to mandate fuel price adjustments, provided these remain reasonable.

Lacson said such intervention – enabled by the DOE’s authority to impose price adjustment limits during a state of national energy emergency – is far better than leaving the fuel prices to the oil firms.

“Dapat lang gamitin ng pamahalaan ang pagdeklara ng state of national energy emergency. As long as reasonable ang gagawing computation ng DOE sa pag-adjust ng presyo – pagbaba man or pagtaas ng presyo ng pump prices, mas makakabuti sa mas nakakaraming Pilipino ang ganitong patakaran o polisiya kesa naman ipaubaya sa oil companies ang pagtatalaga ng presyo (The government must use the powers granted to it under a state of national energy emergency. As long as the DOE’s computations are reasonable – whether the adjustments are upward or downward – this is better than just allowing oil firms to dictate prices of fuel),” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Sinusuportahan ang DOE-Mandated na Pag-aadjust sa Presyo ng Langis; Binibigyang-diin ang Makatarungang Presyo

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Lacson: Maharlika Investment’s Expanded Oil Storage Facility Move Good, but May Not Lower Oil Prices

The Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC)’s move to establish an expanded oil storage facility to help protect the country from future oil price surges is a good step but not without concerns, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson noted that while the initiative can help safeguard domestic oil supply, it may not necessarily bring down fuel prices – especially since the MIC is an investment entity designed to generate profit.

“This is one good move to obviate the possible shortage of our domestic supply of oil. However, I cannot help but be apprehensive since the Maharlika Investment Corporation is an investment entity that is designed to earn profit –  hence while it may help ensure continuous supply of oil, it may not be able to help bring down the prices of oil products,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Magandang Hakbang ang Expanded Oil Storage Facility ng Maharlika Investment, Pero Hindi Matik na Magpababa ng Presyo ng Langis

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Lacson Urges Govt: Go Beyond Ayuda, Craft Direct Support for Filipinos Hit by Fuel Crisis

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday urged the government to go beyond traditional “ayuda” and explore more targeted measures to support Filipinos affected by the fuel crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East – including a possible fuel subsidy.

Lacson said the government may study approaches used by neighboring economies such as Taiwan, which implements subsidy mechanisms to help cushion fuel price spikes.

“Hindi ako nagmamarunong. Ang suggestion ko lang, pag-aralang mabuti kung anong mas nakakabuti sa sektor na talagang apektado (I am not playing a know-it-all but my suggestion is to study ways to benefit the sectors that are directly affected),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson Hinimok ang Gobyerno: Higit sa Ayuda, Bumuo ng Direktang Suporta para sa mga Pilipinong Apektado ng Krisis sa Langis

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Lacson Pushes Decisive, ‘Extreme’ Measures to Shield Filipinos From Rising Fuel Costs

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday called for decisive – and even “extreme” – government intervention to shield Filipinos from the relentless surge in petroleum prices.

Lacson stressed the government must also disclose its actions against “early” profiteers, noting that any relief from a potential excise tax suspension may not be felt until June — if at all.

He likewise underscored the need to ensure the proper use of some P230 billion in potential funds from the 2025 and 2026 General Appropriations Acts (GAA) to help sectors hit hardest by the fuel crisis.

“May mga batas na pwedeng gamitin ang provision ng mga batas na ito dahil may state of energy emergency. Ngayon kung paano i-implement yan, at kailan gagamitin, kailan i-implement at paano i-implement, yan ang mas importante (We have laws that can be implemented now that there is a state of national energy emergency. What is more important is how and when it will implement these),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang Mahigpit na Hakbang para Pangalagaan ang mga Pilipino vs Tumataas na Presyo ng Langis

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Lacson: Pray that the World Will Survive ‘Trump-26’

We survived Covid-19. Now we must pray to survive Trump-26.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said this on Wednesday as Filipinos continue to face economic difficulties due to the conflict in the Middle East, which he said is due in large part to Trump’s “whimsical arrogance in treating even the US’ long time allies.”

“Only a few years ago, we outlived the coronavirus, also known as Covid-19. Pray that the world will survive Trump-26,” he said on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Manalangin na Maligtas ang Mundo sa ‘Trump-26’

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