Senator Bam Aquino called on Malacañang to declare a full national emergency, saying the current energy-related order lacks the authority needed to shield Filipinos from soaring oil prices and the expected increase in the cost of basic goods.
During Thursday’s resumption of the Senate PROTECT (Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy) Committee hearing, Aquino questioned economic managers on the legal limitations of the current declaration, which he described as “toothless.”
“In a national emergency, puwede mag-trigger ang price ceiling. In a national energy emergency, hanggang monitoring lang tayo. Is that correct?” Aquino said.
Aquino argued that the legal “teeth” of a broader declaration would allow the government to impose stronger interventions.
Under the current National Energy Emergency, government powers are largely limited to monitoring and supply replenishment.
“So you need to call a full state of national emergency to have a price freeze at hindi yun ang tinawag natin. Ang tinawag natin, national energy emergency, “ he said.
“Bago pa po nangyari yung gera, pakiramdam na ng maraming tao, mataas na yung presyo ng bilihin. Suddenly, in one month’s time, ang laki ng tinaas ng presyo ng diesel at gasolina,” Aquino added.
He stressed that while the energy order helps private companies replenish fuel supply, it does not address the “domino effect” on basic goods.
The senator added that he personally believes the current measures remain insufficient because the public is looking for steps to prevent continued price increases in public markets, supermarkets, and groceries.
Aquino cited three reasons for declaring a broader national emergency.
He said that without a full declaration, the government cannot legally mandate a price ceiling on essential goods such as chicken and pork, which the Department of Agriculture warned could increase by P100 due to the oil crisis.
The senator also raised concerns that Executive Order 110 is unclear on whether local government units can tap into their Quick Response Funds to provide immediate relief.
He also called for a consolidated approach to manage the P230 billion in available government funds and prevent duplication of assistance.
Aquino also expressed frustration with what he described as the “business-as-usual” pace of response as the Middle East conflict continues to push fuel prices toward P120 per liter.
Aquino said the crisis is no longer only about energy supply but about survival.
Aquino noted that while Congress passed a law allowing the President to suspend the excise tax on fuel, a national emergency would allow a more aggressive suspension of the 12 percent VAT on petroleum.
He said this could reduce prices by P14 to P15.
He emphasized that the P230 billion budget must be unlocked immediately to help jeepney and tricycle drivers facing rising fuel costs.
He added that small businesses are at risk of closing and that public markets, hospitals, and schools must remain operational.
Aquino also stressed the need for a consolidated approach, saying coordination is necessary to avoid duplication of assistance and ensure that no beneficiaries are left out.
Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Loren Legarda echoed the sentiment.
They noted that the declaration of an emergency is an “overdue recognition” of the crisis, but said it only gains meaning if it leads to swift, coordinated, and wise use of government funds to help Filipino households.
