Tag: Middle East

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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 Lauds DFA Secretary Lazaro’s Quiet Diplomacy Securing Safe Passage Through Hormuz

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Friday lauded Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro for ensuring through quiet diplomacy the safe passage of Philippine-flagged vessels, energy shipments and Filipino seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz.

Lacson underscored the deal’s importance as he noted that the route is used by vessels that deliver 80 to 100 percent of the Philippines’ oil imports.

“Our commendation and gratitude to DFA Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro for quietly and efficiently negotiating with Iran to allow passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz that deliver 80% to 100% of the Philippines oil imports,” he said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson, Pinuri ang ‘Quiet Diplomacy’ ni DFA Secretary Lazaro sa Pagtitiyak ng Ligtas na Pagdaan sa Hormuz

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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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Lacson Pushes Shorter Time to Act on Excise Fuel Taxes

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

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Lacson Eyes Faster Mechanisms to Address Rising Fuel Costs

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is seeking to speed up the government’s mechanisms to address rising fuel costs, especially amid unstable prices of oil due to the tension in the Middle East.

Lacson on Saturday particularly pushed for an amendment to the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC)’s provision that would shorten the “wait period” of three months before suspending excise tax on fuel.

“I am not just pushing for an emergency power but for a permanent amendment to the NIRC to shorten the ‘wait time’ to suspend excise taxes, especially with the situation now in the Middle East. We cannot wait three months before suspending the imposition of an excise tax,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM.

In Filipino: Lacson Nais Pabilisin ang mga Mekanismo upang Matugunan ang Tumataas na Presyo ng Langis

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