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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sotto signs enrolled bill authorizing Marcos to suspend excise tax on fuel

Sotto signs enrolled bill authorizing Marcos to suspend excise tax on fuel

Published Mar 23, 2026 01:20 pm

At A Glance

  • Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said on Monday, March 23, that the Senate has yet to receive the enrolled bill on the proposed measure allowing the President to suspend and reduce excise taxes on petroleum products.
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III signed on Monday night, March 23, the enrolled bill on the proposed measure allowing the President to suspend and reduce excise taxes on petroleum products.
A gas station attendant fills up a motorcycle in Quezon City on Tuesday, March 3. With Middle East tensions blocking the critical Strait of Hormuz, the government’s economic team is moving to grant President Marcos Jr. the power to reduce fuel taxes once Dubai crude exceeds $80 per barrel to protect Filipinos from a potential price surge.
A gas station attendant fills up a motorcycle in Quezon City on Tuesday, March 3. With Middle East tensions blocking the critical Strait of Hormuz, the government’s economic team is moving to grant President Marcos Jr. the power to reduce fuel taxes once Dubai crude exceeds $80 per barrel to protect Filipinos from a potential price surge.
The bill was adopted by the House of Representatives last week.
In a Viber message to reporters, Sotto stated that he has signed two enrolled copies from the House of Representatives. 
The enrolled bill is yet to be signed by House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III. Because of this, Sotto said that transmittal to Malacañang will be from the House.
On March 17, voting 17-0-0, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1982 or An Act Authorizing the President to Suspend or Reduce excise Tax on Petroleum Products, amending for the purpose Article 148 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.
The House of Representatives adopted the Senate version of the bill on March 18, effectively finalizing the measure at the legislative level and eliminating the need for a bicameral conference committee.
Only after both the Senate President and the House Speaker sign the enrolled bill can it be transmitted for the President’s action.
The proposed measure seeks to give the President the authority to temporarily suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Related Tags

oil price hike Senate President Vicente \"Tito\" Sotto III House of Representatives President Marcos
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