PASAY CITY—The Senate took a decisive stand on Monday, May 4, targeting the escalating financial strain on Filipino families caused by volatile electricity and fuel rates. 

Senator Erwin Tulfo spearheaded the push for transparency, specifically demanding a closer look at petroleum pricing under the Oil Deregulation Law. 

“This is not about punishing the industry. Transparency is about protecting the public. It builds trust, ensures fairness, and prevents abuse,” Senator Tulfo said in his privilege speech.

Tulfo’s call for accountability comes as global Middle East tensions continue to trigger unpredictable price hikes at the pump, leaving local consumers vulnerable to market shifts.

Moving the initiative into high gear, Senator Pia Cayetano, chairperson of the Committee on Energy, officially proposed a formal committee hearing to investigate the pricing structures. 

Cayetano emphasized that the primary goal is to restore market fairness and establish robust protections for households struggling with high utility bills. 

“That is what we are here for as elected members of the Senate. Because legality is a minimum standard, public interest must always be the higher standard that guides us,” the senator said in her privilege speech.

This legislative push signals a direct effort to rein in costs and ensure that energy providers and oil companies operate with greater transparency during periods of global instability.