MANILA, Philippines?If Senator Manuel Villar had his way, he would have Malacañang keep its order freezing the prices of petroleum in Luzon for a short while longer because of the crisis brought about by the recent typhoons.

"I would want the fuel price caps to stay but not too long," Villar said in Filipino, unaware that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had ordered the lifting of Executive Order No. 839 effective next Monday.

He said the Palace should not be pressured by the oil companies objecting to the oil price freeze.

Villar said he actually wants the Oil Deregulation law amended to give the President and the executive more power on fuel issues.