Malacañang will relay a call for “shared sacrifice” to oil companies as fuel prices continue to rise, even as it maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not see the need for emergency powers at this time, a Palace official said.
In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said there has been no formal communication from House leaders to Malacañang regarding the proposed grant of emergency powers to the President tied to a declaration of a state of national emergency.
“Ipagpaumanhin pero wala pa nakakarating sa akin. Wala pa akong nadinig [na] emergency powers as a whole kung lahat ng pagkakataon,” Castro said, referring to reports that the House of Representatives may approve emergency powers once a state of emergency is declared.
Castro clarified that the emergency powers earlier sought by the President were limited in scope, particularly to reducing excise taxes on fuel—measures that have already been approved by both chambers of Congress.
She also addressed discussions about granting the President authority to take over oil companies, saying such a move is unnecessary at present.
“Hindi pa po kasi tayo nasa ganyan sitwasyon. Ang sabi rin ng Pangulo na kumbaga in control pa yung government, nakakausap natin itong mga oil companies na ito. Nagkakaroon naman ng negosasyon.”
Because of this, she said there is no need for a declaration of a national emergency related to fuel prices at this time, noting that such powers are typically reserved for more severe circumstances.
However, Castro acknowledged that the President remains open to declaring emergency measures if needed, particularly in relation to basic and prime commodities, as has been done in the past.
Amid continued fuel price increases, Castro emphasized that the government expects cooperation from private firms, especially oil companies, in easing the burden on consumers.
“Siguro ang kailangan lang dito talaga sa atin, lahat tayo, kahit yung mga may-ari ng mga oil companies na ito, pata yung manufacturers, lahat na tayo mag-contribute sa sakripisyo. Para sa kababayan natin, para sa Pilipinas, kung ano yung kaya niyong iambag para sa gobyerno at sa mga kababayan natin.”
Castro added that the Palace would convey public concerns to industry players, including calls for more gradual or staggered price adjustments instead of large, immediate increases.
“Kapag nakiusap ang gobyerno, alam nyo na ibig sabihin nun. Pagbigyan nyo naman. Hindi para sa gobyerno, hindi para sa taong bayan. So makakarating lahat yan.”
She also pointed out that based on reports submitted to the President, the country still has sufficient oil supply for up to 60 days, raising questions about the scale and pace of recent price hikes.
Further clarification on pricing decisions, Castro said, may come from Department of Energy officials, including Undersecretary Sharon Garin.
Malacañang earlier assured the public that it continues to engage oil firms in dialogue as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of volatile global oil prices on Filipino consumers.
