Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Philippines president, has ordered her cabinet to consider a cut in petrol import tariffs to provide quick relief to consumers buffeted by price rises. Oil companies in the Philippines raised retail prices for the third time in a month last week.

The move, which would cut petrol costs in Manila by about 2 per cent, would cost the government about 9bn pesos ($174m) a year, the finance department said. Roel Landingin, Manila