Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

Christopher Sitson

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/1774490093456HETSS9xbYAA0vPM.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Transport group PISTON and allied organizations under the No to Oil Price Hike Coalition stage a protest rally during a nationwide transport strike in Cubao, Quezon City on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Transport workers call on the government to remove excise tax and VAT on fuel and review the Oil Deregulation Law amid rising oil prices. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE) </strong>— Transport and commuter groups launched on Thursday morning a nationwide strike along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City to protest the relentless surge in fuel prices and demand the repeal of existing energy tax laws.</p><p>The &quot;No To Oil Price Hike&quot; Coalition, led by the transport group PISTON, spearheaded the mobilization.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/25/marcos-jr-cuts-oil-excise-tax-to-ease-double-digit-spikes-in-ph-fuel-prices-1901">Marcos Jr. cuts oil excise tax to ease double-digit spikes in PH fuel prices</a></div><p>The protesters are calling on the government to lower oil prices to P55 per liter, abolish Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise taxes on petroleum, and junk the Oil Deregulation Law, which they blame for the uncontrollable price hikes.</p><div><br/></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%2F2412751982545379%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>PISTON president Mody Floranda emphasized that their demands remain unchanged despite previous demonstrations on March 19 and 20.</div><p>Floranda noted that while the Senate has called for a hearing today to discuss these specific policies, the government has yet to provide a concrete response to their grievances.</p><p>He criticized the government’s fuel subsidy and cash relief programs, describing it as a temporary fix that fails to address the root of the crisis.</p><p>With diesel prices reportedly hitting P120 per liter in the National Capital Region (NCR) according to Floranda, he argued that the financial aid provided to drivers lasts only about a day and a half.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/25/philippines-eyeing-russian-oil-marcos-1336">Philippines eyeing Russian oil– Marcos</a></div><div><br/></div><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/1774490219159HETSSiAbYAMiJBR.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Transport group PISTON and allied organizations under the No to Oil Price Hike Coalition stage a protest rally during a nationwide transport strike in Cubao, Quezon City on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>PARA Commuters Network convener Nanoy Rafael pointed out that the current transport shortage is not caused by the strike itself, but by &quot;destructive&quot; government policies and the lack of action regarding the oil crisis.</p><p>&quot;Hindi yung pagwelga ang dahilan bakit kami nahihirapang makasakay. Dahil dito sa mga polisiya tulad ng phaseout at lalo na itong kawalang aksyon dito sa krisis sa oil,&quot; Rafael stated.</p><p>The convener further illustrated the financial burden on drivers, noting that the combined VAT and excise tax currently account for roughly P21 per liter of diesel.</p><p>He argued that if a driver consumes 30 liters a day, the taxes paid are nearly equivalent to the daily minimum wage.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/3/25/green-xentro-rolls-out-hundreds-of-ev-taxis-in-rizal-amid-rising-pump-prices-0845">Hundreds of new EV taxis launched by Green Xentro amid rising pump prices</a></div><p>&quot;Kapag tinanggal ang VAT at excise tax sa loob ng isang buwan may 18,000 pesos na madadagdag sa kita ng mga tsuper,&quot; Rafael explained.</p><p>As the strike continues, Floranda warned that if fuel prices reach the P130 per liter mark, it would not only paralyze public transport but also make it nearly impossible for private vehicle owners to maintain their operations.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MANIBELA, UP COMMUNITY</strong></div><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/1774489236977New Project (2).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Manibela and UP Community along with drivers during their protest in Philcoa, Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City. CA Sitson, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANIBELA and the UP Community, along with other sectors heavily affected by the increase in pump prices, also participated in the protest in Philcoa.</p><p>Oliver Manalili of MANIBELA Batasan does not consider the government’s P5,000 subsidy sufficient.</p><p>Nolan Grulla, spokesperson of the UP Transport Group, became emotional as he shared that he was not included in the list of beneficiaries who received the P5,000 aid.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/26/philippines-says-strait-of-hormuz-must-be-reopened-immediately-0108">Philippines says Strait of Hormuz must be reopened &#x27;immediately&#x27;</a></div><p>“Nakakagalit! Nakakaiyak! Bakit hindi kami nakakuha? Kita mo ha, ‘yung mga iba roon, may nabalitaan ako pinapipirma pa nila. Pinakalma lang nila ‘yung tao, isusulat ‘yung pangalan, kukuhanin, mag-a-announce pa ba sila?” said Grulla.</p><p>He expressed his appeal for fuel prices to be reduced and suggested that discounts be applied directly at gasoline stations to simplify the process of receiving assistance.</p><p>“Gusto namin sana ibalik sa P55, ‘yun ang hiling namin dahil kami ang makikinabang. ‘Yung ayuda panandalian lang ‘yan. Hindi naman kami tatakbo nang walang krudo, titirik kami. Kung gusto nya talaga bigyan kami ng ayuda kausapin niya ang gasolinahan na bigyan kami ng 50 percent [discount],” said Grulla.</p><p>Commuter Myra San Miguel no longer takes her change in order to help drivers.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/24/manila-s-jeepney-drivers-struggle-as-middle-east-war-sends-diesel-cost-soaring-1401">Manila&#x27;s jeepney drivers struggle as Middle East war sends diesel cost soaring</a></div><p>“Mahirap makasakay kasi sure ako aaray na ‘yung mga driver. Magwe-welga na, magti-tigil na sa pasada. Last week pa simula nung nagtaas ‘yung presyo hindi na ako kumukuha ng sukli, kung ano ‘yung binayad ko ay yun na. Syempre makikita mo sa balita ganun, naghihirap na sila, sobrang lala ngayon,” San Miguel said.</p><p>The group is set to proceed to Nagtahan to join their fellow members there.</p><p>Meanwhile, the UP Community is scheduled to head to the National Housing Authority from 10:00 a.m. until the evening.</p><p>The public is encouraged to show support and join the gathering.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LTSfuBSmp0g?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_LksT_udil4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Transport and commuter groups launched on Thursday morning a nationwide strike along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City to protest the relentless surge in fuel prices and demand the repeal of existing energy tax laws.</p>

Transport and commuter groups launched on Thursday morning a nationwide strike along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City to protest the relentless surge in fuel prices and demand the repeal of existing energy tax laws.

Transport, commuter groups launch nationwide strike to demand oil tax repeal

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Transport, commuter groups launch nationwide strike to demand oil tax repeal

Bea Cuadra,

Christopher Sitson,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 26, 2026 08:25 AM PHT

|

Updated March 26, 2026 10:00 AM PHT

Read More:

Protest

PISTON

oil price hike

Quezon City

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