Marcos to sign bill suspending fuel excise tax by 'end of today'
After declaring a state of national energy emergency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a press conference at the Malacañan Palace on March 25, 2026. (Betheena Unite)
President Marcos said he might sign the bill seeking to suspend the fuel excise tax by Wednesday, March 25.
In a press conference in Malacañan on Wednesday afternoon, Marcos confirmed that he has received the copy of the bill.
"Natapos na ang kanilang pag-aaral doon sa batas na 'yan at nasa amin na. At siguro (They have finished studying the law and we have received it. And perhaps) by the end of today, I will be able to sign that into law already," Marcos said while detailing the government's response to the impacts of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The President, however, said they will first determine when to use the new authority, citing the constant changes in oil prices.
"Ngayon, titignan ngayon natin (Now, we will have to see) when is the best time to use that new authority because there are conditions within the law that have to be satisfied," Marcos said.
"But, nonetheless, we are trying to determine. Dahil ang mahirap talaga dito ay pabago bago ang presyo (Because what's difficult here is the constant changes in the prices of oil)," he explained.
"So, mahirap talaga magplano (So, it's hard to plan). That's why we have been trying to find the optimum levels in terms of support, the suspension of some of the charges that the government exacts, especially from food products," he further said.
Once signed into law, the measure will authorize the President to temporarily suspend the fuel excise tax in a bid to cushion the impact of global oil price hikes in the country.
It can be recalled that on March 3, Marcos bared plans to ask for a special power to reduce excise tax on petroleum products should prices exceed $80 per barrel.