SENATOR Erwin ‘Winong’ Tulfo called on the Executive Branch to ensure “equitable relief” on the planned government fuel subsidy program in the wake of the ongoing war in the Middle East between the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran that greatly disrupted the supply of oil products to the rest of the world, including the Philippines.
The program is part of a proposed bill suspending the collection of the excise tax on fuel that the government collects for every liter of oil products sold. President Marcos Jr. has already certified the bill as “urgent” so it can be immediately passed by Congress.
During the Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing on March 11, Tulfo warned against limiting tax relief solely to diesel-based sectors.
“Let us not leave the motorcycle-riding public behind. They use gasoline for their motorcycles, so we cannot limit the excise tax suspension on diesel alone,” Tulfo stated.
“There are 8.5 million Filipinos who use motorcycles on a daily basis; many of them use it to go to work and others use it for their livelihood. What will happen to them if we do not include gasoline in the suspension,” he added.
In response, Department of Finance Undersecretary Karlo Adriano confirmed that the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are preparing a holistic recommendation for the President’s approval that will take into account Tulfo’s concerns.
In the same hearing, Tulfo, also chair of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, warned against the politicization of government aid.
Tulfo emphasized that with fuel subsidies currently reaching PUV drivers and fisherfolk, there must be zero tolerance for political grandstanding.
“We have policies in place prohibiting the intervention of politicians. Those who will be caught using this crisis as a tool for political motives must be punished,” Tulfo warned.
On Tulfo’s insistence, the approved 2026 General Appropriations Act already contained a provision prohibiting government officials and lawmakers from exploiting all government ‘ayudas’ by being present during their distribution.
His initiative was seconded by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla through DILG Memorandum Circular 2026-006, which likewise prohibits such acts.
To drive home his aversion of politicians exploiting government assistance, Tulfo last February 4, filed SB 1750 (Anti-Epal Law), which seeks to permanently bar elected officials and candidates from participating in the actual distribution of government financial aid.