April 15, 2026 | 10:48 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Philippines is currently waiting for a response from the United States (US) to purchase more oil from Russia, said Energy Minister Sharon Garin to reporters in Manila on Tuesday.
"We are awaiting their response, but we are very positive on getting this other window," Garin said as quoted by CNA.
She stated that the Philippines is very optimistic about the request that has been officially submitted to Washington, as an effort to address the energy emergency in the Southeast Asian country.
Garin added that although the government is optimistic about extending the waiver, which expires on April 11, it is also preparing alternative supply arrangements in case the request is rejected.
The Philippines is currently diversifying its energy sources and its supply options are not limited to Russia. Garin mentioned that the Philippines government is also eyeing producers in South America, including Colombia and Argentina, as well as Canada and the US.
"We wanted to open the Russian window because we want more options. We need diversification," she said.
Jose Manuel Romualdez, the Philippines' ambassador to the US, said, "we will most likely get it," referring to the extension. He added that other countries have also requested the same extension.
"We just need to provide the US State and Treasury departments information on the quantity and duration," he said.
Last month, he said that Manila was working with the US to secure concessions and exemptions that would allow the Philippines to obtain oil from countries sanctioned by the US.
Amidst the war with Iran, the US has granted a 30-day exemption for the international purchase of Russian oil, which is sanctioned by Washington and its Western allies due to the war in Ukraine.
Energy Emergency
The Philippines is the first country in the world to impose an energy emergency to address the shortage of oil due to the US and Israel's war against Iran.
In March, the Philippines bought a total of 2.48 million barrels of crude oil from Russia.
This Southeast Asian country imports 90 percent of its oil from the West Asia (Middle East) and paid US$16 billion, or around Rp274.03 trillion for oil in 2024.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday suspended the excise tax on kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas after Congress granted him emergency powers to adjust fuel tax rates.
The economic management team opposed the suspension of excise tax on diesel and gasoline.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go said on Tuesday that the Budget Development Coordination Committee, comprised of the economic managers, "has determined that suspending excise taxes on diesel and gasoline would not likely provide meaningful relief, as any reduction in retail pump prices would be marginal and largely offset by prevailing market dynamics."
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