By Pearl Gumapos
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday (March 21) night reiterated his stand to remain neutral on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict but hoped for the resolution of the crisis.
“At this time, we choose to remain neutral. Huwag muna tayong makialam,” the President said during his address to the nation.
He then said that as long as the conflict continues between the two countries, it will continue to affect the price of oil, and that oil prices will remain based on worl market prices despite protests.
“As long as the fighting is contained in Russia, pati iyong Ukraine, it has affected the price of oil. Mahirapan tayo kung marami na ang demand – tapos law of supply and demand. Ang global market factors natin ay bantayan natin. And I hope that this war, dapat mahinto na nila,” he said.
“Pag-usapan natin iyong gasolina. Alam ninyo, the longer ang gera, [it] would not really spell a reduction of the supply. Magkaroon talaga ng kulang-kulang. We cannot compete when everything goes up. Maski anong protesta niyo, iyan talaga ang presyo ng langis,” he added.
–ag
Watch the full address here:
