March 16, 2026
Mr. President, distinguished colleagues:
I rise today to co-sponsor Senate Bill No. 1982, which expressly grants the President to suspend the imposition of fuel excise taxes in times of extraordinary circumstances.
We are now experiencing an extraordinary circumstance. There is a rapid and continuous increase in fuel prices brought about by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. As we have seen time and again, this situation triggers a domino effect.
Kapag tumaas ang presyo ng petrolyo, bumubulusok din pataas ang presyo ng […]
Read More
March 16, 2026
The Senate has passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1719, principally authored and principally sponsored by Senator Loren Legarda, declaring April of every year as Philippine Veterans Month. The measure establishes a permanent national framework to honor Filipino veterans, preserve their legacy, and strengthen access to welfare and education programs for them and their families.
Legarda said the bill’s approval during the March 16 plenary session affirms the nation’s solemn duty to honor those who fought for freedom.
“Our […]
Read More
March 14, 2026
Filipinos are being hit by relentless increases in petroleum prices that are driving up daily fares and household costs nationwide, with diesel prices increasing by as much as 24 pesos per liter , kerosene by 32 to 38.50 pesos per liter, and gasoline by 7 to 13 pesos per liter in a single week, as oil firms implement staggered “big-time” hikes. At current pump prices of around 70 pesos per liter for diesel, an increase of about 24 pesos represents […]
Read More
March 14, 2026
Senator Loren Legarda filed two bills to lower prices on basic goods and services while expanding value-added tax (VAT) exemptions for essential necessities and medical services.
These measures represent concrete steps toward a more progressive national VAT system, easing the burden on low-income households.
“The measures will immediately provide relief to those with lower incomes, helping them survive day-to-day and build a better future for their families,” said Legarda.
“By treating healthcare and daily subsistence as fundamental rights rather than taxable transactions, the […]
Read More
March 12, 2026
Senator Loren Legarda has called urgent attention to the collapse of onion farm gate prices in Nueva Ecija and Occidental Mindoro, which plunged from ₱120–₱150 per kilogram in January 2026 to just ₱30–40 in February 2026, leaving farmers on the brink of economic loss while retail prices in Metro Manila remained disproportionately high.
Legarda emphasized that mistimed import arrivals, cold storage saturation, and anomalous shipments in Bulacan have compounded the crisis, exposing systemic failures in the supply chain.
On March 11, 2026, […]
Read More
