President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday said the government is considering a supplemental budget and legislative amendments to cushion the impact of the Iran war, while criticizing the Senate for failing to convene sessions for two straight days.
The government needs to move quickly to respond to the energy emergency triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran, including measures that might require congressional action, he told reporters in Manila.
“We were thinking that maybe we could have a supplemental budget,” the President said, without specifying an amount.
“This is necessary so that we can assist the people because of the oil crisis,” he added, citing discussions in a committee tasked with crafting measures to ease the effects of the Iran war.
Mr. Marcos said the Executive is studying the possibility of proposing a supplemental budget and amendments to existing laws to support sectors affected by rising fuel prices.
A supplemental budget is an additional spending plan approved through legislation to address unforeseen needs or fund programs not covered by the national budget.
The President’s remarks came after senators failed twice this week to convene plenary sessions amid tensions within the chamber’s majority bloc led by Senate President Alan Peter S. Cayetano.
Mr. Marcos questioned why the Legislature had effectively halted work despite the Executive and Judiciary continuing normal operations during the crisis.
He said the government needs to provide stability and assurance to Filipinos as global uncertainties threaten fuel prices and economic activity.
“We are trying to achieve some form of stability so that people can get on with their lives, so that people can plan ahead for their future, so that people can count on the assistance of the government during this time of an emergency,” he said.
“We cannot do that if the legislature decides to stay at home and have a vacation,” he added.
The administration earlier placed the country under a year-long energy emergency following volatility in global oil markets linked to the war in the Middle East. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
