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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Sotto agrees if President Duterte calls Congress to a special session

Sotto agrees if President Duterte calls Congress to a special session

Published Mar 3, 2022 06:30 pm

In the midst of the political campaign, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III on Wednesday, March 3 said he is agreeable to hold plenary sessions to amend the Oil Deregulation law if President Duterte calls Congress to a special session.

Sotto issued this statement on appeals for Malacanang to amend the law as prices of oil products continue to rise caused by several factors, including the current Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Senate chief recalled that he voted against the Oil Deregulation law.

Sotto is seeking the vice presidency with Senator Panfilo M. Lacson as his presidential candidate in the forthcoming May, 2022 national and local elections.

In October, 2019, the Department of Energy (DOE) wanted to amend the oil deregulation law and allow the energy secretary to define the maximum price of oil, among others.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III head asked President Rodrigo Duterte to consider the move during a Cabinet meeting.

Following the call of Senator Grace Poe to distribute cash subsidies to public transport drivers amid rising fuel costs last month, several groups said the government should also start taking steps to repeal the Oil Deregulation Law to safeguard the public against “exploitation” by large oil companies.

In a recent statement, Poe said competitive pricing for petroleum products under the country’s deregulated oil industry would benefit public utility vehicle drivers and private motorists, who have been “deeply hurt” by the fuel price increases.

She said the government should now distribute the subsidy for qualified PUV drivers under the Pantawid Pasada Program, which received a P2.5-billion funding in the national budget this year.

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Tito Sotto SPECIAL SESSION Oil Deregulation Law congress DUTERTE
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