ASEAN Beat | Politics | Southeast Asia

What the Energy Emergency Means for Philippine Politics

The Marcos administration faces the daunting task of preserving calm and maintaining public support amid the ongoing oil supply crisis.

A jeepney station in Baguio, Philippines.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week placed the country under a “national energy emergency,” citing the “imminent danger” posed by the disruption in global oil supply. The declaration was made after his office denied that there was already a crisis situation due to soaring oil prices. Marcos also made an assurance last week that everything was normal in the country’s economy amid the intensified tension in the Middle East.

The energy emergency declaration has established a whole-of-government framework to ensure stable supply chains, uninterrupted essential services, and continued economic activity. It directs agencies to lead the enforcement of energy conservation measures and carry out a proactive response to hoarding, profiteering, and supply manipulation. It also authorizes the government to quickly purchase much-needed petroleum products without undergoing bureaucratic delays.

Aside from the emergency declaration, Marcos also signed into law a measure granting him the power to reduce or suspend excise taxes on petroleum products.

Marcos’ allies in Congress supported the emergency declaration, but some legislators pressed for stronger measures. Senator Bam Aquino said that declaring a state of national emergency would give the government more teeth in controlling prices and addressing the crisis. The president’s estranged sister, Senator Imee Marcos, warned that distributing “piecemeal ayuda” (relief) is a band-aid solution. “The solution is a realistic, wide-ranging and strategic plan for the survival of every Filipino through this global crisis,” she added.

Senator Robin Padilla boldly proposed the revival of the country’s historical claim over resource-rich Sabah, which is part of Malaysia. Senator Loren Legarda noted that another way to reduce prices is to remove the Value Added Tax on basic goods.

The range of reactions and proposals reflected the disappointment over the government’s handling of the oil price shock. In the past month, Marcos urged the public to conserve energy and ordered a compressed work week for government agencies. Targeted subsidies were given to affected workers, but transport groups said the support was inadequate given that oil prices continued to surge.

Even the assistance provided to displaced migrant workers in the Middle East was criticized for being slow, inefficient, and inconsistent. Vice President Sara Duterte questioned the seeming........

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