The government's whole-of-government response to the war-driven oil crisis raises legal and constitutional questions, according to a congressional think tank. In a June discussion paper, the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) said the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) Framework appropriately recognizes the need for a coordinated approach but warned that certain aspects may exceed executive authority or conflict with existing laws. The report was first published by BusinessWorld .
The CPBRD specifically flagged the legal basis for mandatory price controls, the use of calamity funds for economic relief, and the delegation of taxing powers to executive agencies without clear statutory authority. These issues, the think tank argued, could undermine the framework's implementation and expose the government to legal challenges. The report noted that while the UPLIFT Framework was designed as a temporary measure to shield vulnerable sectors from soaring oil prices, its legal gaps require immediate legislative attention to ensure sustainability and constitutionality.
To address these concerns, the CPBRD urged Congress to pass enabling legislation that would explicitly authorize the executive branch to implement the UPLIFT measures. Such a law, it said, would provide a clear legal foundation for interventions like fuel subsidies, transport assistance, and food price stabilization. The recommendation comes as the government continues to grapple with the economic fallout from global oil market disruptions, with the UPLIFT Framework serving as the centerpiece of its crisis response strategy.