MANILA (June 3) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged senators to resume legislative work, warning that political turmoil in the Senate is delaying urgent measures needed to shield Filipinos from the impact of rising global oil prices.
“Get back to work. We have a lot to do,” Marcos told reporters on Wednesday as the Senate remained unable to convene for a second straight day.
The President said lawmakers still need to act on proposals that could help cushion families from escalating fuel costs, including a possible supplemental budget and amendments to existing laws to allow additional government assistance.
His remarks come as concerns grow that the Senate’s internal crisis is distracting lawmakers from pressing economic issues affecting ordinary Filipinos.
The chamber has failed to hold sessions since Monday after members of the majority bloc did not attend following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada on plunder and graft charges linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Marcos questioned the suspension of Senate sessions, saying legislative work should continue despite the legal troubles of individual members.
More significantly, he warned that the impasse is undermining the Senate’s ability to perform its constitutional role at a time when government intervention may be needed to address the effects of a worsening global oil crisis.
“We are trying to achieve stability so that people can get on with their lives and count on the assistance of government during this time of emergency,” he said.
For communities across Mindanao and the rest of the country, the concern is practical rather than political. Rising fuel prices often lead to higher transportation costs, more expensive food, and increased prices of basic commodities. Farmers, fisherfolk, public transport drivers, and low-income households are usually among the first to feel the impact.
Any delay in approving emergency measures, subsidies, or additional funding could slow the government’s response at a time when many families are already struggling with the cost of living.
The controversy also raises broader questions about governance and accountability. While the Executive and Judiciary continue to function, the temporary paralysis in the Senate highlights how political disputes can disrupt public service and delay decisions that directly affect citizens.
As fuel prices continue to dominate public concern, the challenge for lawmakers is whether they can move beyond political divisions and focus on measures that provide immediate relief to the people they were elected to serve.
