Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday likened the global challenges brought by the Middle East crisis to a new pandemic, urging Filipinos and the world to pray they can withstand what he called “Trump-26.”
“Only a few years ago, we outlived the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Pray that the world will survive Trump-26,” Lacson wrote on his social media account.
He blamed what he described as the “whimsical arrogance” of US President Donald Trump and Washington’s allies for worsening the situation, which has already disrupted oil supply chains and driven fuel prices higher in the Philippines.
Diesel prices have surged to around ₱144 per liter, kerosene to ₱168.79, and gasoline to ₱111, adding to the burden of Filipino consumers.
Lacson lamented that the hardships faced by the public are tied to Trump’s treatment of even long-time US allies.
On Tuesday, Trump posted on his Truth Social account that countries unable to secure jet fuel due to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could either buy from the US or “go get your own oil.”