MANILA -- A lawmaker still expects Congress to pass the bill suspending the increase in fuel excise taxes into law before Christmas despite the recent downtrend in oil prices.

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Quezon City 4th District Representative Jesus "Bong" Suntay said the House already approved the bill on second reading, which means it will soon be transmitted to the Senate where a counterpart measure is already waiting.

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Suntay said their proposal suspends only the increase in fuel excise taxes, and not the implementation of these taxes itself. Lawmakers are willing to put in their bill a provision that reimposes the increase of excise taxes once the price of crude hits $65 per barrel, he said.

Suntay said he expects the Senate to approve the bill as a Christmas gift to the public.

He added that expects the House to approve the bill on final reading next week.

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