Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should be asked about the specific measures the government is taking to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis.

In an interview in Davao during the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan at the Veterans Memorial Monument in Davao, Duterte emphasized that the public should question the president on the measures being implemented to help Filipinos affected by the oil supply disruptions.

“Ang tanong ay ano ba dapat ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan—tanungin natin ang ating pangulo, ano ba ang dapat ginagawa niya para tulungan ang mga kababayan natin na tinatamaan o nahihirapan dahil dito sa epekto ng krisis sa Middle East,” she said.

Duterte pointed out that stabilizing the petroleum supply remains a challenge as tensions persist in the region.

She suggested that fuel prices in the country could be lowered if the government addresses supply issues in the Middle East or secures alternative sources of oil that do not pass through the conflict-affected area.

“Mapapababa siya kung magagawan nila ng paraan yung problema ng supply doon sa Middle East or mapapababa siya kung mayroong ibang supply na hindi dumadaan sa Middle East na papasok sa ating bayan," Duterte said.

“Hangga’t mayroong bangayan sa Middle East, patuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo,” she added.

Duterte also said the state of the nation “has failed” the Filipino soldiers amid the energy crisis.