Manila, April 13 -- Malacanang on Monday said suspending the value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products is beyond the authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and would require an act of Congress.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the clarification following calls from business groups, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), to remove VAT on fuel amid rising global oil prices.

"Sa ngayon, wala kasing batas na nagbibigay ng anumang emergency powers para sa Pangulo na siya ay mag-suspend ng VAT sa fuel products. Ito po ay nakasalalay po sa Kongreso (At present, there is no law granting the President emergency powers to suspend VAT on fuel products. This rests with Congress)," Castro said.

Under the ...