Joint House panel to hold Iran war briefing, review of gov’t response to aid Filipinos
THE House of Representatives has called for a briefing from government agencies and the private sector to give lawmakers a clearer understanding of the Iran war and its impact to the Philippines, a congressional leader said on Sunday.
In a statement, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos III said the House Foreign Affairs and Overseas Workers Affairs Committees will hold a joint congressional briefing on Wednesday “to obtain an updated assessment of the situation” in the Middle East and review government preparedness in assisting Filipinos there.
Several congressional hearings on the Middle East situation are also set in the House this week, including in the Ways and Means committee to review proposals to suspend excise taxes on fuel and the transportation panel on the government’s fuel subsidy program for public transport.
“The House wants to receive a full briefing on the situation on the ground and on the readiness of our agencies to assist our nationals should conditions require government intervention,” Mr. Marcos said in a statement.
US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets entered their second week, in a conflict that has since widened across the Middle East and sent global oil prices sharply higher as markets braced for disruptions on gas supplies shipped through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint through which 20% of the world’s oil transits.
US President Donald J. Trump has said the military will keep striking Iranian targets “as long as necessary” to meet Washington’s goals of halting Iran’s nuclear weapons development and pursuing a regime change.
On Saturday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said meeting that objective could take “four to six weeks.”
“At a time of uncertainty in the region, it is important that the government remains fully prepared to protect their welfare and provide assistance when needed,” Mr. Marcos, a son of the President, said.
“With a significant number of Filipinos working across the Middle East, it is important that we stay ahead of developments and ensure that the necessary support mechanisms are in place,” he added.
There are an estimated 2.41 million Filipinos living in Middle Eastern countries, led by the United Arab Emirates with 975,000, followed by Saudi Arabia at 813,00, Qatar at 250,000 and Kuwait with 211,000, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. There are about 800 Filipinos in Iran and 31,000 in Israel.
PRICE MONITORING
Meanwhile, a senator on Sunday called on the Department of Energy (DoE) to strictly monitor retailers and oil companies for potential profiteering, amid uncertainties in petroleum prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“They cannot raise prices immediately because the stocks they hold were sold at a lower price. They should sell at a reasonable price,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said in a statement.
He added that gasoline pump prices increased by 13.7% to P62 from P55 per liter from January to March 4, while diesel rose by 41.4% to P76 per liter from P54 during the same period, data from the senator’s office showed.
“A price increase has just been announced in the world market, but some retailers are already raising prices. This is profiteering,” Mr. Gatchalian said.
Citing the DoE, the senator said that oil companies still have an inventory of about 50 days, which should not prompt price increases yet.
In a separate statement, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson called on the public to report gas stations that prematurely increase fuel prices to proper authorities.
“Amid reports that some gasoline stations have already increased prices, they must be reported to authorities. You can report violations to the Philippine National Police or local government units,” he said.
Mr. Lacson added that these establishments violated Republic Act No. 8479, the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998, which prohibits cartelization, predatory pricing, and other anti-competitive practices to protect consumers.
It also violated Republic Act No. 7394, the Consumer Act of the Philippines, which protects consumers from deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales practices.
The senator added that further consumer vigilance and the reporting of irregularities can assist local authorities in enforcing the law and protecting the public from abusive pricing practices.
Kerosene prices are projected to rise by P29.42 per liter, with diesel jumping by P19.62 per liter, and gasoline by P10.43 liter, according to the DoE.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. last week urged Congress to grant him emergency powers to lower the excise tax on petroleum products to protect consumers from rising fuel prices. The Senate is scheduled to deliberate on proposed measures seeking to suspend or lower excises tax this week. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Adrian H. Halili
