Fuel Tax Pause? House Moves to Give Marcos Faster Power at the Pump

The House of Representatives has moved to give President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the authority to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes as oil prices keep climbing because of the conflict in the Middle East. The bill got 247 votes in favor, with only the three-member Makabayan bloc voting no.

Under the proposal, the President can step in once Dubai crude hits $80 per barrel, or when oil prices spike abnormally during a national emergency or calamity. In short, lawmakers want Malacañang to respond faster instead of waiting through a longer tax process habang tumataas ang presyo sa gas stations.

Rappler reported that if the fuel excise tax is fully suspended, kerosene prices could drop by about P5 per liter, diesel by P6, and gasoline by P10. Marcos may also choose a partial reduction instead of a full stop, since a total suspension could cost the government an estimated P136 billion in revenues from May to December.

The bill still needs a similar measure from the Senate before it can reach the President’s desk. Malacañang has already certified the proposal as urgent, so the expectation now is mabilis ang galaw if the upper chamber follows through.

Not everyone is sold on the plan. Opposition lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc argued that suspending excise taxes alone may not guarantee real relief, saying deeper action on VAT and fuel taxation may still be needed if prices keep hurting commuters, drivers, and small businesses.

Source: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/house-approves-bill-allowing-marcos-suspend-reduce-excise-tax-fuel-march-2026/