House transmits fuel excise tax suspension bill to Senate
At A Glance
- The House of Representatives has finally transmitted to the Senate House Bill (HB) No. 8418, which authorizes the President to temporarily suspend or reduce fuel excise tax as a way to help cushion the impact of global oil price spikes on Filipinos.
The House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The House of Representatives has finally transmitted to the Senate House Bill (HB) No. 8418, which authorizes the President to temporarily suspend or reduce fuel excise tax as a way to help cushion the impact of global oil price spikes on Filipinos.
Signed on Tuesday, March 24 by Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III, the House-approved measure was principally authored by Dy and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.
HB No. 8418--certified urgent by President Marcos--was approved on third reading and final reading last March 16 with a nominal vote result of 247-3-0 (yes-no-abstain).
“Tuluy-tuloy po ang pagtutok ng Kamara sa mga nangyayari sa Middle East (The House continues to focus on what's happening in the Middle East)," Dy said, referring to the regional conflict that caused fuel imports to skyrocket in cost.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and work with the executive to help our countrymen during these challenging times," said the Speaker from Isabela.
House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Under HB No.8418, the President may suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products upon the recommendation of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE).
The authority may be exercised if the average Dubai crude oil price based on the Mean of Platts Singapore reaches or exceeds $80 per barrel for one month, or if a national emergency or calamity results in extraordinary increases in domestic fuel prices.
A suspension would mean a retail price reduction of P6 to P10 per liter on local fuel products.
Any suspension will be effective for up to six months and may be extended for a maximum aggregate period of one year, subject to congressional action. The authority granted to the President will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2028.