Manila, March 25 (AseanAll)  — The Philippines is exploring the possibility of securing fuel supply from Russia, the country’s non-traditional trading partner, amid the current energy challenges, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on March 24, 2026.

Philippine President Marcos made the remarks in an interview with Bloomberg when asked if the Philippines is getting a commitment from China or Russia for added fuel supply.

The President said the government is “still working on that”, noting China has always been the Philippines’ trading partner and that the government is trying to increase fuel supply.

“Russia is not a traditional supplier of crude oil to the Philippines or any energy supply, but we are exploring that as well,” he said.

“Basically, we are trying anything, everything to secure supply because that’s the one thing that we can do about. The pricing is going to be a much more difficult challenge because everyone is a price taker when it comes to oil.”

The President said the Philippines is encouraged to talk with China and Russia in terms of its energy requirement because current contracts are now being honored, stressing the country secured such commitment from its partners around the world.

Asked about the country’s partners, President Marcos said the Philippines has been sourcing fertilizer from Indonesia and China; refined fuel from Japan and South Korea; and oil from Malaysia.

In terms of the Philippines’ current fuel supply, the President said: “I think we’re doing better than a month in terms of fuel supply — maybe 45 days more or less, depends on diesel or gasoline.”

President Marcos has signed an executive order declaring a state of national energy emergency as a response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that could affect the availability and stability of the country’s energy supply.