Marcos open to Bayanihan 3 to address fuel hike impact amid Middle East tension — Palace

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is open to any measure that will help Filipinos amid the impacts of Middle East tension on the Philippines. 

During a press briefing on Monday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked about the proposed Bayanihan 3 measure, similar to the COVID-19 pandemic aid laws, in order to address the impact of rising oil prices.

''Katulad po ng sinabi natin, kailangan po din makita natin kung ano po iyong pinakadetalye ng bill at lahat po ng maaaring makatulong sa ating mga kababayan, iyan naman po ay tutugunan at sasang-ayunan ng ating Pangulo,'' Castro said. 

(Like what we previously said, we need to see the bill's details. The President will support any measure that could be helpful to the public.) 

The House of Representatives is looking into having a comprehensive Bayanihan 3 measure to address the impact of oil price shocks, according to Marikina 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo.

The said measure will have a cash aid program that would prioritize the transport sector which is most impacted by the fuel price increases, Quimbo said.

Quimbo also said the Bayanihan 3 won’t be heavy on cash aid provisions since the lower chamber wants a long-term response to such crisis since the Middle East tensions resulting from the US-Israel war against Iran can happen again in the future. 

Meanwhile, Castro said she couldn't confirm whether a version of a Bayanihan bill was submitted to the President.

''Pero sabi nga natin lahat ng suhestiyon nila ay open ang panuglo para pag-aralan,'' she said.

(Like what we said, the President is open to study all suggestions.) — RSJ, GMA News