A SENATOR on Sunday pushed for government-to-government oil procurement deal with Russia to aid the impact of the oil crisis.
In a press statement, Senator Maria Imelda R. Marcos questioned the lack of a government-to-government deal with Russia amid the waiving of the sanctions, noting that neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia have already moved to make oil deals with the said country.
“Even Petron, a private company, was able to secure 2.48 million barrels of crude. If a private corporation can do it, why can’t the Philippine government?” Ms. Marcos said.
Ms. Marcos also raised this question to the Department of Energy and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy Committee hearing in April.
According to the DFA, the United Nations imposed a sanction on Russia due to their invasion of Ukraine, resulting in the Philippines’ need to ask the US for a waiver.
In April, the US granted the Philippines and other countries the permission to purchase oil from Russia through issuing a new waiver effective until May 16.
“Our government must have a sourcing strategy beyond traditional routes vulnerable to disruption, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, by shifting to non-Middle Eastern suppliers,” Ms. Marcos said, noting that the government should improve partnerships with regional producers like Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
