Philippine Senate deadlock threatens oil‑price relief measures

Since June 1, the Philippine Senate has been unable to convene after the majority bloc walked out in protest over the arrest of several senators, including Jinggoy Estrada on plunder charges. The impasse left the chamber evenly split, with no sessions held for multiple days. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged lawmakers to resume work, warning that the stalemate could delay urgent legislative actions needed to mitigate the impact of rising global oil prices on Filipino households. He highlighted the need for a supplemental budget and other measures to cushion families from higher fuel, transport and food costs, emphasizing that the paralysis undermines the Senate’s constitutional role during an emerging oil‑price crisis.