House Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan has expressed the bloc's readiness to help the executive branch suspend excise tax on fuel amid the raging conflict in the Middle East--a major producer of crude oil.

"I express my full support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in seeking emergency powers from Congress to temporarily remove the excise tax on fuel amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East," Libanan said in a statement on Tuesday night, March 3.

"As House Minority Leader, I recognize that these are extraordinary circumstances that call for responsive and united leadership. The temporary suspension of excise taxes on fuel will provide immediate and meaningful relief to our kababayans (countrymen) and help cushion the impact of external shocks beyond our control," he said.

"The Minority Bloc stands ready to work constructively with the President and our colleagues in Congress to ensure that any grant of emergency powers is clearly defined, time-bound, and anchored on the best interest of the Filipino people," underscored Libanan.

President Marcos cannot suspend fuel excise tax on his own; he needs authority from Congress (House of Representatives and Senate).

Marikina City 2nd district Rep. Miro Quimbo, the Committee on Ways and Means chairman, earlier reckoned that Congress should immediately pass a measure allowing the President to suspend the excise tax on fuel during extraordinary circumstances, "subject to clear and measurable triggers".

Libanan acknowledged that escalating tensions in the Middle East continued to push global oil prices upward. Such has placed additional strain on the Philippine economy and on the daily lives of Filipinos, he said.

"At a time when Filipino families, transport operators, farmers. fisherfolk, and small businesses are already grappling with rising costs,. government must act swiftly and decisively," Libanan said.

"In this challenging period, unity and decisive action are essential to safeguard our economic stability and protect every rilipino family," the 4Ps Party-list lawmaker said.

On Tuesday, Quimbo filed House Bill (HB) No. 8257, which sought to grant the President of the Philippines the authority to suspend or reduce the excise tax on petroleum products during national or global economic emergencies.

The proposed measure amends Section 148 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997 to establish a lawful and conditional mechanism for temporarily suspending fuel excise taxes when extraordinary circumstances arise.

Following suit was Quezon City 4th district Rep. Jesus 'Bong" Suntay, who filed two measures in response to the Middle East crisis

HB No. 8244 seeks to establish a mechanism to temporarily suspend Value-Added Tax (VAT) and excise taxes on petroleum products during a global oil crisis. The measure aims to immediately lower the price of gasoline and diesel whenever there is a sudden spike in the international market.

Meanwhile, HB No. 8237 seeks to remove the excise tax on key petroleum products such as diesel, gasoline, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and fuel oil, in order to give relief to consumers.

“Kapag tumaas ang presyo ng langis, halos lahat ng gastusin ng ordinaryong Pilipino tumataas din (When oil prices go up, almost all the expenses of ordinary Filipinos also increase)," Suntay noted.

Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco also introduced a House and Senate joint resolution urging President Marcos to temporarily suspend the collection of VAT on all fuel products during the ongoing conflict.