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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos certifies as urgent bill allowing suspension of fuel excise tax

Marcos certifies as urgent bill allowing suspension of fuel excise tax

Published Mar 12, 2026 05:10 pm
File photos
File photos
President Marcos has certified as urgent a bill authorizing the president to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products during national or global economic emergencies.
In a letter dated March 12 addressed to House Speaker Faustino Dy III, Marcos said the immediate enactment of House Bill No. 8418 is necessary to allow the government to respond quickly to extraordinary volatility in global fuel prices.
The measure seeks to authorize the President to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products during periods of severe economic disruption.
According to the certification, the proposed law aims to help stabilize domestic fuel prices and enable the government to respond promptly to fluctuations in global oil markets.

Under the Constitution, a presidential certification allows Congress to bypass the usual requirement of three readings of a bill on separate days, enabling lawmakers to fast-track the passage of urgent legislation.
The certification follows the administration’s earlier proposal seeking emergency powers to address spikes in global oil prices due to the tension in the Middle East.
“I will declare it as urgent because there's no point declaring it as urgent before the committee report has been completed,” he said.
“The minute that you have completed your committee reports… that’s when the declaration of the bill as urgent really goes into effect,” he added.
Marcos said the government’s request for emergency powers is intended to give the executive branch flexibility to act quickly if global oil prices surge.
“It’s very, very simple. What we asked of the legislature is really very simple,” the President said.
He explained that the proposed measure would allow the government to exercise emergency powers if oil prices breach a certain threshold.
“When the price of oil… has breached $80 per barrel on average for a month, then the emergency powers can be exercised,” Marcos said.
The President clarified, however, that reaching the price threshold would not automatically trigger the use of emergency powers.

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President Marcos Bongbong Marcos excise tax emergency powers certify as urgent Oil price hike
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