PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will formally request Congress on Monday to grant him emergency powers to...

HINIMOK ni Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson ang publiko na isumbong sa awtoridad ang mga gasolinahang maagang nagtataas ng presyo ng langis, kasunod ng mga ulat na may ilang establisimyento ang nagtaas na ng pump prices bago ang nakatakdang price adjustment. Giit ni Lacson, ang maagang pagtataas ng presyo ng langis ay lumalabag sa Republic Act No. 8479 o ang Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998; at Republic Act No. 7394 o ang Consumer Act of the Philippines. Maaaring magsumbong ang mamamayan sa Philippine National Police o sa mga local government units (LGUs), aniya. “Amid reports that some gasoline stations have already increased prices, they must be reported to authorities. Here’s why – Raising prices ahead of schedule or hoarding fuel may be liable for: 1) Hoarding & Profiteering – RA 8479; and 2) Unfair or deceptive sales practice – RA 7394,” aniya sa X. “(You can report violations to the) PNP or LGU’s. As per DOE Sec Sharon Garin, they have cascaded instructions to the PNP, LGU’s, etc. to monitor and report violations so appropriate criminal and administrative proceedings may be initiated against erring gas station operators,” dagdag niya. Diin ni Lacson, ang pagiging mapagmatyag ng mga mamimili at ang agarang pag-uulat ng mga iregularidad ay makatutulong sa mga awtoridad na ipatupad ang batas at maprotektahan ang publiko laban sa mapang-abusong gawain sa pagpepresyo. Ipinagbabawal ng RA 8479 ang cartelization, predatory pricing, at iba pang anti-competitive practices upang maprotektahan ang mga mamimili. Samantala, pinoprotektahan ng RA 7394 ang mga mamimili laban sa mapanlinlang, hindi patas, at labis na mapagsamantalang mga gawain sa pagbebenta. Naghahanda ngayon ang mga Pilipino sa panibagong pagtaas ng presyo ng langis habang tumataas ang presyo ng krudo sa gitna ng pangamba sa posibleng pagkaantala ng suplay dahil sa tensyon sa Middle East. Ayon sa mga ulat, maaaring tumaas ang presyo ng kerosene ng ₱24.92 kada litro; diesel ng ₱19.62 kada litro; at gasolina ng ₱10.43 kada litro. Ang final price movements ay inaasahang iaanunsyo sa Lunes, Marso 9.

THESenate on passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1744 otherwise known as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which aims to regulate debt collection practices and protect debtors from abuse, harassment, and misrepresentation. Sen. Joel Villanueva, the sponsor of the bill, said the measure draws a clear line that defines and prohibits harassment and unfair debt collection practices. “With the passage of this measure, we take a significant step toward ensuring that financial access in our country is not built on fear and intimidation, but on fairness, accountability, and respect for human dignity,” he added. Villanueva said that from August 2024 to January 2026 the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) received 47,144 complaints against abusive online lending applications. He also cited reports from the National Privacy Commission, which received 2,244 complaints against OLAs from 2018 to 2025, mostly involving unauthorized access, misuse, and disclosure of personal data. “What we have seen in recent years is deeply alarming. Borrowers are hunted, shamed, and threatened simply for borrowing small amounts of money to for their daily needs. Mr. President, this is not debt collection. This is harassment,” Villanueva said. Under the proposed measure, the following acts are deemed prohibited: ∙ Threats of violence or criminal harm; ∙ Use of insults, obscene, or profane language; ∙ Public shaming or unauthorized disclosure of names and personal information; ∙ Repeated, unreasonable, or untimely communications; ∙ Contacting employers, coworkers, or unrelated third parties;  ∙ Misrepresentation, deception, or intimidation; and ∙ Collection of any amount other than the principal obligation without express authorization in the agreement. Villanueva emphasized that debts are obligations that should be paid but it should not be a reason for debt collectors to shame and degrade their borrowers. “This measure is not about encouraging people to evade their obligations. However, I want to emphasize that while paying debt is an obligation, having debt is not a sin. Debt collection must remain lawful, fair, and humane. It (SB 1744) prohibits abusive, deceptive, and harassing collection practices while protecting the dignity and privacy of borrowers. At the same time, it ensures that legitimate lenders can still collect debts through lawful and ethical means,” he added.

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