MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson called on the government to adopt decisive, and even “extreme,” measures to shield Filipinos from the continued increase in fuel prices.

Lacson said authorities should also be transparent in addressing alleged “early” profiteering, noting that any relief from a possible suspension of excise taxes on fuel may not be felt until June, if implemented.

He also stressed the importance of properly utilizing around P230 billion in potential funds from the 2025 and 2026 General Appropriations Acts to assist sectors most affected by the fuel crisis.

“May mga batas na pwedeng gamitin ang provision ng mga batas na ito dahil may state of energy emergency. Ngayon kung paano i-implement yan, at kailan gagamitin, kailan i-implement at paano i-implement, yan ang mas importante (We have laws that can be implemented now that there is a state of national energy emergency. What is more important is how and when it will implement these),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio.

Lacson pointed out that existing laws, including Republic Act No. 8479, allow the Department of Energy to temporarily take over or direct operations of entities in the oil industry during a national emergency when public interest requires.

He added that similar provisions are found in Republic Act No. 12120, which grants the same authority over the natural gas sector, and Republic Act No. 9511, which allows the President to assume control of the transmission system operated by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in the interest of public safety and welfare.

“Extreme measures yan pero kailangan ng government on their toes mag-monitor at kung may talagang pag-aabuso ang sector na ito kailangan pumasok ang government, at least nakaamba para maging babala sa mapag abuso (These are extreme measures but government needs to be on their toes to monitor the situation. And if it sees abuses in the sectors concerned, the government needs to step in, at least to serve as a warning against abuses),” he said. “Kailangang vigilant din dapat ang mga kababayan natin (The public must also remain vigilant).”

Lacson also raised concern over the lack of updates from the government regarding penalties imposed on fuel retailers accused of raising prices without authorization from regulators such as the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission.

“Kailangan makakuha tayo ng feedback, ano nang nangyari sa sinasabi nilang nahuli nila. Kasi in flagrante yan, plain sight yan. Nakapaskil sa kanilang presyo na tinaas nila agad-agad di pa authorized ng DOE or ng ERC (The public deserves feedback on what happened to the offenders that were caught in plain sight raising fuel prices without authorization from the DOE or Energy Regulatory Commission),” he said.

He further noted that under Republic Act No. 12316, a one-month monitoring period is required before excise taxes on fuel can be suspended. With the law taking effect on April 12, he said the earliest possible recommendation for suspension could come by May 12, subject to the meeting of the Development Budget Coordination Committee.

“Ang bureaucracy pa, (kaya) baka Hunyo na ito maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan (And with the slow bureaucracy, it may take until June for us to feel the relief from the suspension of the excise tax if at all),” he said.

Lacson also emphasized that the government must ensure proper allocation of available funds, prioritizing heavily affected sectors such as transportation, which would also benefit commuters from low- and middle-income groups.

He said that while financial assistance may be considered, a data-driven system must be in place to ensure aid reaches intended beneficiaries rather than being influenced by political interests.

“Dapat planuhin ng gobyerno, malinaw ang direction, saan paggagamitan itong pondo na available, at kung saan gagamitin ang ibang power na nakapaloob sa state of energy emergency (The government must plan well, and have a clear direction on where to use the funds – as well as properly use the powers due to the state of energy emergency),” he said.

Lacson added that Executive Secretary Ralph Recto had agreed with his recommendation to withhold the release of funds under items marked “For Issuance of Special Allotment Release Order” or “For Later Release,” particularly those introduced without consultation with regional development councils and implementing agencies.

He also cautioned against proposals to suspend the value-added tax on petroleum products, warning that while suspending excise taxes could cost the government about P200 billion in revenue, removing VAT could result in losses exceeding P320 billion.

“Hindi ganoon kasimple. Tinitingnan natin suspend-suspend para masiyahan ang kababayan pero ang impact sa GDP natin matindi. Tayo rin in the long or medium term tayo din ang matatamaan (It is not that simple. Some calls for suspending the VAT may sound good to the people but its impact on our economy is huge. We may suffer in the long- or medium-term),” he said.