UMVA has learned that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is considering a drastic measure to shield the nation from the devastating impact of the Iran war: a supplemental budget and legislative amendments.
The President's bold plan aims to cushion the blow of the energy emergency triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran. With a sense of urgency, he told reporters in Manila that the government needs to act swiftly to respond to the crisis, including measures that might require congressional action.
"We were thinking that maybe we could have a supplemental budget," the President revealed. "This is necessary so that we can assist the people because of the oil crisis," he emphasized, citing discussions in a committee tasked with crafting measures to ease the effects of the Iran war.
The proposed supplemental budget would be an additional spending plan approved through legislation to address unforeseen needs or fund programs not covered by the national budget. 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.
The President's remarks came on the heels of a stunning development: senators failed twice this week to convene plenary sessions amid tensions within the chamber's majority bloc. Mr. Marcos questioned why the Legislature had effectively halted work despite the Executive and Judiciary continuing normal operations during the crisis.
He stressed that 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.
Mr. Marcos expressed frustration that the Legislature seemed to be abandoning its duties, saying, "We cannot do that if the legislature decides to stay at home and have a vacation." The administration had earlier placed the country under a year-long energy emergency following volatility in global oil markets linked to the war in the Middle East.
