MANILA, Philippines—Administration and opposition senators Sunday complimented President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for persuading oil companies into cutting fuel prices.

“At least her action exposed the deplorable attitude of oil companies to unconscionably raise local prices at the slightest spike in the price of oil in the world market. If only for that, at least this time, we should be grateful to her,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said that while the public was “thankful” for her intervention, he urged Ms Arroyo to be more consistent by using the same motivation to slash fuel prices by suspending the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on oil.

While he believed that the move was part of her “survival gimmicks,” Cayetano said Ms Arroyo could still do more.

“Instead of giving us tough statements and lip service, she should address tax collections that were being bloated by record high oil prices,” he said.

Sen. Manuel Roxas II was surprised that Ms Arroyo intervened in the oil companies’ pricing decisions after she repeatedly rejected calls to ease the tax burden on fuel buyers.

“Apparently, oil price can be adjusted according to Malacañang intervention. So why not earlier? How much more it can be lowered?” asked Roxas, who has continued to push for the suspension of the VAT on oil as one of the keys to providing immediate relief to consumers.

Sen. Francis Escudero, however, doubted whether Ms Arroyo’s intervention could be sustained.

“It’s just persuasive. It is not based on any provision of law. So why not amend the Oil Deregulation Law?” Escudero asked.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said Ms Arroyo was sincere in her efforts in bringing down oil prices “by increasing the pressure on oil companies since she is sensitive to the public pulse as well.” Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.