Philippines’ House Approves Presidential Power To Halt Oil Tax

March 16, 2026, 9:01 AM UTC

The Philippines’ House of Representatives on Monday approved a bill authorizing the president to suspend or reduce the excise taxes on petroleum products during economic emergencies.

The lower house passed the measure less than two weeks after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought emergency power to slash levies on petroleum products amid the war in the Middle East.

The proposed law, which still requires Senate approval, is aimed at allowing the government “to respond promptly to extraordinary fuel price volatility and stabilize domestic fuel prices during the period of severe economic disruptions,” Marcos said in a letter to lawmakers.

The ...

Learn more about Bloomberg Tax or Log In to keep reading:

See Breaking News in Context

From research to software to news, find what you need to stay ahead.

Already a subscriber?

Log in to keep reading or access research tools and resources.