Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Progressive groups hold a protest on the second day of a transport strike at a gasoline station in Philcoa, Quezon City, calling for government action on rising fuel prices and policies affecting drivers. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17745897651731774589762686.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Progressive groups hold a protest on the second day of a transport strike at a gasoline station in Philcoa, Quezon City, calling for government action on rising fuel prices and policies affecting drivers. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED) </strong>— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that while all options are on the table, the government is focused on immediate solutions to cushion the local impact of surging oil prices amid supply volatility in the global market due to the Middle East conflict.</p><p>This was his response when asked about his thoughts on the calls to repeal the Oil Deregulation Act and remove Value-Added Tax (VAT) on fuel imports.</p><p>“Well, as I said before, nothing is being discounted,&quot; he said in a chance interview after the PNPA “SILANG PAGLAOM” Class of 2026 commencement exercises in Silang, Cavite on Friday, March 27.</p><p>“But what we are focused now is immediate [relief],” he said, adding proposals like repealing the Oil Deregulation Act will need to go through lengthy discussions.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/26/gov-t-secures-22-5-million-liters-of-diesel-amid-state-of-energy-emergency-2219">Gov’t secures 22.5 million liters of diesel amid state of energy emergency<br/></a></div><p>Marcos Jr. also noted that amending the law would entail lengthy discussions.</p><p>“I don&#x27;t know when it will come out so we are focused right now on the immediate —  what we can do immediately,” he said.</p><p>“Kung ano ‘yung maaari natin paratingin kaagad na tulong sa taumbayan ay ‘yun ang aming ginagawa, ‘yun ang aming pinag-iisipan ngayon. But as I said, kahit lahat ng maaaring gawin eh tinitingnan namin, pinag-aaralan namin,” Marcos Jr. said.</p><p>While assuring the country that there is enough crude supply until the end of June, the chief executive said talks are ongoing to secure more fuel.</p><p>He said the Philippines&#x27; good relations with other countries has helped with the search for fuel sources.</p><p>“They give us special consideration and concessions para dito kaya’t nandiyan ang supply natin,” Marcos Jr. added.</p><p>Activists groups, including transportation sector organizations, have been calling for more government interventions in the deregulated oil industry, where the state relies on market forces and competition to keep prices stable.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/27/lpg-prices-also-set-to-rise-0145">LPG prices also set to rise<br/></a></div><p>They have also been calling for the removal of VAT on oil products.</p><p>A separate proposal to give Marcos Jr. authority to suspend the collection of excise taxes on fuel was signed into law this week.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘BAND-AID SOLUTION’</strong></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F2078316662962120%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </span></div><p>Drivers and progressive groups assembled at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City on Friday to condemn what they called the government’s “band-aid approach” to the fuel crisis.</p><p>“Hinahanapan natin ng aksyon ang pamahalaan dahil nakukulangan tayo. Parang ang ginagawa lang ay band-aid na solusyon,” said Mong Palatino, secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)</p><p>He said short-term subsidies given to drivers were not enough to sustain their livelihood as oil prices continued to rise.</p><p>“Ang subsidy na binibigay ay kulang na kulang dahil sa sobrang taas ng presyo ng langis. Bukod dito, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis. Ano mang subsidy ang ibigay, mababalewala rin ito in a few days lamang,” Palatino said.</p><p>He said the government should implement concrete and long-term programs to bring down fuel prices, including removing excise taxes and value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products.</p><p>Palatino said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to withdraw the fare hike showed the government was allegeldy prioritizing the interests of oil companies over the public.</p><p>“Kakarampot na nga lang ang itataas ng pamasahe dahil sa sobrang taas ng presyo ng langis, binawi pa ng Pangulo. Dapat kontrolin ang sobrang tubo ng mga oil companies. Bakit ang taong bayan ang pinagtitipid, samantalang walang ginagawa para pigilan ang labis na paniningil at kita ng mga ito sa gitna ng krisis?” he said.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1996094987653065%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </span></div><p>Meanwhile, commuters reported difficulties due to limited public transportation.</p><p>Christine Episcope, 18, said her commute from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila to Imus, Cavite had become more challenging with fewer buses on the road and overcrowded conditions.</p><p>“Early this morning, nung nag-bus po ako, punuan po ng maigi yung bus at siksikan ng maigi… mataas din po yung presyo right now,” Episcope said.</p><p>“Super stressful po ‘yon. Midterms po kasi namin so bukod sa pagre-review ko po ngayon, nasisiksik pa po ako sa bus, lalo akong nasi-stress,” she added.</p><p>Despite the inconvenience, Episcope said she sympathized with drivers affected by high fuel costs and tries to give more than the discounted student fare when she can.</p><p>“Naiintindihan ko po sila dahil mataas na po yung mga gasolina and gusto ko po sana sila tulungan and binibigay ko po sa araw-araw na jeep ko is P15 minimum naman kahit ang nirerequire sa estudyante ay dose lang.” Episcope said.</p><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that while all options are on the table, the government is focused on immediate solutions to cushion the local impact of surging oil prices amid supply volatility in the global market due to the Middle East conflict.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that while all options are on the table, the government is focused on immediate solutions to cushion the local impact of surging oil prices amid supply volatility in the global market due to the Middle East conflict.

Marcos: Legislation to lower fuel prices an option, but focus is on immediate relief

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Marcos: Legislation to lower fuel prices an option, but focus is on immediate relief

Harlene Delgado,

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 27, 2026 01:38 PM PHT

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Updated March 27, 2026 04:21 PM PHT

Read More:

Oil Deregulation Law

Value-Added Tax

Fuel prices

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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