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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Erwin Tulfo: No 'epal' politicians during fuel subsidy distribution, please

Erwin Tulfo: No 'epal' politicians during fuel subsidy distribution, please

Published Mar 15, 2026 05:19 pm

At A Glance

  • "Epal" politicians have no place in the distribution of government aid amid the crippling fuel price crisis. Thus, said Senator Erwin Tulfo as he issued a stern warning Sunday, March 15 against the politicization of fuel subsidy intended for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and fisherfolk.
Senator Erwin Tulfo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Senator Erwin Tulfo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


"Epal" politicians have no place in the distribution of government aid amid the crippling fuel price crisis.
Thus, said Senator Erwin Tulfo as he issued a stern warning Sunday, March 15 against the politicization of fuel subsidy intended for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and fisherfolk.
“We have policies in place prohibiting the intervention of politicians. Those who will be caught using this crisis as a tool for political motives must be punished,” said Tulfo, who added that there must be zero tolerance for grandstanding and credit-grabbing.
“The money being used for these subsidies is from hard-earned taxpayers’ money; there shall be no intervention of any politician in the distribution,” said the chairman of Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development.
Tulfo previously advocated for a special provision during the Bicameral Conference Committee meeting of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) prohibiting the participation of politicians in the distribution of government assistance.
This was followed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006, which prohibited such acts.
The lawmaker revived the “Anti-Epal Act” by filing Senate Bill (SB) No. 1750 last February. The measure sought to permanently bar elected officials and candidates from participating in the actual distribution of government financial aid.
Don't forget about riders
Regarding the actual fuel subsidy, Tulfo said that it must be inclusive to everyone in the transport sector, particularly the 8.5 million motorcycle riders in the country.
Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing on March 11, Tulfo warned against limiting tax relief solely to diesel-based sectors.
“Let us not leave the motorcycle-riding public behind. They use gasoline for their motorcycles, so we cannot limit the excise tax suspension on diesel alone,” Tulfo said during a Committee on Ways and Means hearing last March 11.
“There are 8.5 million Filipinos who use motorcycles on a daily basis; many of them use it to go to work and others use it for their livelihood. What will happen to them if we do not include gasoline in the suspension?” he added.
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