New york: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is poised to certify a proposed bill granting him emergency powers to reduce fuel excise taxes, as revealed by Malaca±ang on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro communicated to reporters that President Marcos considers the proposed measure's passage to be particularly timely, given the current concerns surrounding fuel prices. "Yes, of course. 'Yan po 'yung nakikita po ng Pangulo. At lalo po at napapanahon ito sa ngayon (That is what the President sees, and it is especially timely now)," Castro affirmed when questioned about the urgency of certifying the bill.

Castro further elaborated that the Department of Finance (DOF), the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), and the Office of the President are actively collaborating to expedite the bill's passage. She mentioned that once Congress releases a committee report, the President is expected to issue a certification of urgency to hasten the legislative process.

'Nagtutulungan po ang opisina po ng DOF, OES, at ng Office of the President para po mabigyan agad ng oras ang pagsasagawa ng batas patungkol po dito (The offices of the DOF, OES, and the Office of the President are working together to give the bill immediate attention),' Castro noted. 'Kapag po natapos na po at nagkaroon na po ng committee report, ay magkakaroon po ng certification of urgency na siyang ang Pangulo po mismo ang magbibigay (Once the committee report is completed, a certification of urgency will be issued, which the President himself will provide),' she added.

The proposed legislation aims to lower the excise rates on petroleum products to mitigate the effects of rising fuel prices. This proposal is considered one of the contingency measures to address the increasing fuel costs amid the worsening crisis in the Middle East. President Marcos has assured the public that the anticipated excise tax cut will be a temporary measure.