By Myris Lee
It’s nigh on impossible for the Oil Deregulation Law amendments to be approved before President Rodrigo Duterte leaves his seat as lawmakers are busy preparing with the May 9 polls.
In the April 25 Laging Handa briefing, Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr. said the law aiming to slow down the oil price adjustments had already been discussed at the Congress.
“Sa aming estimate ay medyo mahihirapan na, kasi iba ‘yung priorities ngayong eleksiyon at pagkatapos ng eleksiyon eh siyempre canvassing, then they have to go around of course and maybe thank their constituencies and maybe even take lighter loads,” he said
“At this point po, ang bola po ay nasa Kongreso ano po. It’s the desire of the Executive branch, sana ay matapos po natin iyan. But realistically speaking po, hindi rin natin hawak ang panahon ngayon, dahil talagang iba po ang activities na ngayon ng ating mga legislators,” he added.
The energy official said the Lower House has met and came up with a preliminary evaluation, while the Senate has already conducted a hearing.
“ Pero pagdating ho kung whether or not matatapos ho natin ngayon ang amendment in this Congress, magko-convene pa ho sila minsan ‘no,” he said. – ag
