Senator Robin Padilla has proposed amending Republic Act No. 8479, or the Oil Deregulation Law, as part of efforts to address the ongoing fuel crisis.
In a social media post on Sunday, April 5, Padilla acknowledged the administration’s diplomatic efforts that have kept oil supplies flowing into the country but stressed that such measures alone cannot lower prices.
“Kapag bumaba ang presyo ng langis, bababa rin ang presyo ng lahat ng nakaugnay na pangangailangan ng taumbayan,” he said.
Padilla argued that the government should regain control over oil pricing.
“Kailangan ibalik sa gobyerno ang kontrol sa presyo ng langis! Ito ang hingin niyo mga kababayan na gawin namin ngayon na,” he added.
He further claimed that the distribution of financial aid often becomes a source of corruption, suggesting instead that subsidy funds be used to directly pay oil companies.
“Ang mainam ay kung ano man ang inilalaan diyan para sa mga ayuda ay magsilbi na lamang itong pangbayad ng gobyerno direkta sa mga oil oligarch,” Padilla said.
The senator’s proposal comes after Senate President Vicente Sotto III filed Senate Bill No. 1984 in March, which seeks to repeal the Oil Deregulation Law altogether.