Noting that time is of the essence, senators on Monday, April 13, questioned why the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has to seek the United States’ permission to import oil from Russia and delay the delivery of oil supply in the country.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee, said he cannot understand why the Philippines has to ask the US’ nod first amid the government’s efforts to secure a larger oil supply in the next few months.

It can be recalled that when the Middle East conflict began, the Philippine government was able to secure fuel products from Russia after the US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian crude oil for a month.

Jose Manuel Romualdez, Philippine Ambassador to Washington, D.C., had told had said that the Philippines is requesting the US to extend the waiver to three months.

“Bakit kailangan magpaalam sa (Why do we need to ask permission from the) US because time is of the essence here and we need the oil yesterday. Kung magpapaalam pa tayo (If we have to ask permission) that will obviously delay the delivery of oil supply. What’s the technical reason?” Gatchalian asked during the PROTECT committee hearing, addressing his question to the DFA chief.

DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro pointed out that there is an existing United Nations’ (UN) sanction that only the US can lift.

“There were sanctions imposed by the UN and only the United States can lift or exempt those sanctions. Therefore, our Philippine Ambassador in Washington DC, particularly Ambassador Babes Romualdez, has been negotiating with two departments – the Department of State and Department of Treasury,” Lazaro disclosed, referring to UN’s 2022 sanctions on trade with Russia following its attack on Ukraine.

Gatchalian, however, insisted he finds nothing wrong if there is nothing to stop the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) from ordering petroleum from Russia, “pay in US dollars or whatever currency and they can deliver.”

“So why do we need another step? Why can’t we do it quickly because we need supplies right away,” Gatchalian lamented.

Sen. Imee Marcos also criticized such policy, noting that other neighboring countries have already negotiated directly with Russia despite the sanctions.

“Other ASEAN countries who recognize the sanctions and respected the US’ wishes directly went to Russia and dealth with them. Why are we still so scared? Why is it all Washington? Are we still a colony?” Marcos pointed out.

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin, defended the DFA’s stand, saying it is imperative for the Philippines to “follow the diplomatic channels.”

“Our private companies, they don’t want to buy unless its lifted kasi baka sila habulin ng US (because the US might go after them). So they want clearance,” Garin explained.

Lazaro further explained that the Philippines cannot afford to be sanctioned: “it just really connected with the world financial system and this has been set since the invasion of Ukraine and that was one of the results.”

“If we pursue as with the private sector or the DOE, there’s a possibility that sanctions might just be imposed,” she said.

“Therefore, our embassy in Washington, the diplomatic service is very keen in making sure (of asking permission) because we did it already eh. We already had a window and we were able to get Russian oil,” Lazaro said.

Gatchalian, however, insisted that the most important thing that the government should prioritize is the interest of the nation at this time.

“Our interest now is to secure as much supply as possible regardless of where it will come from. Because right now, Russia has the supply, our point here is we really needed the oil yesterday. If Russia can guarantee us supply for the next 60 to 90 days, kunin na natin dapat iyan kaysa magpaaalam pa tayo (we should secure that instead of asking for their permission first),” he pointed out.

“Marami lang magugutom, tataas ang inflation. Ang punto lang namin dito, let’s exhaust all available options in a manner that we can do it immediately because time is of the essence,” Gatchalian insisted.

Lazaro nevertheless assured senators that it is “just a matter of time” since the Philippines is already discussing the matter with the US.

“We’ll endeavor to do that Mr. Chair. In fact, we’ll call Washington and Moscow as soon as possible,” the DFA chief promised.