Senate Sends Bills on Excise Tax Suspension to Palace | INQToday

Why It Matters

The legislation could provide immediate relief to consumers and transport operators amid record‑high fuel prices, while also signaling the Marcos administration’s willingness to use executive powers to manage economic emergencies.

Key Takeaways

• Senate and House transmit fuel excise tax suspension bills to President.
• Suspension triggers when Brent crude exceeds $80 per barrel for a month.
• Current fuel taxes: diesel 6 PHP/L, gasoline 10 PHP/L.
• Airport and toll fee discounts announced to offset soaring fuel costs.
• Impeachment hearings for Vice President Duterte proceed amid attendance uncertainty.

Summary

The Senate, together with the House of Representatives, has forwarded the final versions of House Bill 8414 and Senate Bill 1982 to President Ferdinand "Bong" Marcos Jr., seeking to suspend excise taxes on fuel products when oil prices surge.

The bills amend Section 148 of the National Internal Revenue Code, allowing the president to halt or reduce diesel and gasoline excise taxes—currently capped at 6 pesos per liter for diesel and 10 pesos per liter for gasoline—once Brent crude averages $80 a barrel for a consecutive month. The measure comes as diesel prices have topped 140 pesos per liter and gasoline hovers near 95 pesos.

Marcos has already signaled an “immediate enforcement” of the tax cut, while the Department of Transportation announced temporary discounts on airport terminal fees and tolls to cushion commuters from rising costs. In parallel, the House Justice Committee is pressing ahead with impeachment hearings against Vice President Sara Duterte, despite uncertainty over her attendance.

If enacted, the tax suspension could lower fuel costs for businesses and commuters, easing inflationary pressure, while the ancillary fee reductions aim to stabilize air travel prices. Politically, the swift legislative push underscores the administration’s responsiveness to the energy shock and adds momentum to ongoing high‑profile political battles.

Original Description

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

Senate sends bills on excise tax suspension to Palace

Read more: https://inqnews.net/BillsSentToPalace

Dy signs final bill suspending fuel excise tax, sends it back to Senate

Read more: https://inqnews.net/DySignsBillOnExciseTax

Marcos anti-drug ‘campaign’ more effective than Duterte’s, says Remulla

Read more: https://inqnews.net/MoreEffectiveCampaign

Luistro: Skipping hearing hurts Sara Duterte’s bid to junk impeach raps

Read more: https://inqnews.net/LuistroOnVPSaraAttendance

Sara Duterte impeachment: No delays, no steps skipped — Luistro

Read more: https://inqnews.net/NoDelaysNoStepsSkipped

Airport fee discounts to start April 1 – DOTr

Read more: https://inqnews.net/AirportFeeDiscounts