Lawmakers Highlight Ignored Oil Price Control Measures
MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel reiterated on Monday that their callout of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was grounded on several oil price control proposals that Malacañang overlooked. Manuel stressed that his group has consistently pushed for concrete solutions to ease soaring oil costs.
Contrary to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro’s remarks that the youth party-list only criticizes without offering solutions, Manuel clarified that their advocacy has long included specific legislative measures. “Early into our term as party-list representative, we filed bills to unbundle oil prices and to remove value-added tax and the TRAIN excise tax on oil products,” he explained.
Key Bills Filed to Lower Oil Costs Stall in Congress
Manuel recalled that on June 30, 2022, the first day of the 19th Congress, he and fellow Makabayan bloc members filed House Bill No. 400. This measure aimed to reduce oil and petroleum prices by removing taxes imposed under Republic Act 10936, known as the TRAIN Law.
In August 2022, the group also introduced House Bill No. 3004, dubbed the Unbundling of Oil Prices Bill, intending to break down the components of oil pricing for greater transparency and affordability.
However, both bills remained stalled at the committee level. Manuel lamented, “The problem is, they were never included in the Marcos administration’s priorities. Halfway into its term, there’s still no clear plan to reduce the cost of goods and raise workers’ wages.”
Youth Lawmaker Criticizes Administration’s Approach
Manuel expressed disappointment that the government seems focused only on social welfare assistance without addressing systemic issues. “Parang ang kaya lang ng administrasyon ay magbigay ng social welfare assistance. Wala talagang political will na baguhin ang sistemang pabor sa mayayaman,” he stated.
He also condemned the tendency to label activists as terrorists for proposing alternative solutions. “We are red-tagged and called terrorists if we push for alternative solutions,” Manuel said. He emphasized, “The youth stage rallies because we put forth solutions but are unheeded.”
The outgoing lawmaker urged Malacañang to seriously consider and act upon proposed reforms instead of dismissing criticism outright.
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