Emergency measures: Bracing for the oil crisisAs tensions rise in key oil-producing regions, significant global supply disruption is occurring with Brent crude showing volatility since the start of the conflict. The situation today must not be treated as a routine fluctuation, but as a potential crisis requiring decisive and coordinated action. A next priority is managing the domestic impact of rising oil prices that ripple across the economy. Our natural advantages in solar, wind and geothermal energy can help shield us from global oil price spikes. The United States and its allies are focused on stabilizing oil markets and reshaping the global energy landscape through innovation, strategic reserves and strengthened partnerships.

Sara links Duterte’s rights to national sovereignty“As we celebrate, we also stand firm. The defense of his rights is a defense of our national sovereignty,” Duterte said in her video message. The defense of his rights is a defense of our national sovereignty,” Duterte said in her video message. “Our justice system must remain independent, serving only the mandate of the Filipino people and never the interests of foreign powers,” the Vice President added. The Vice President thanked Filipinos here and abroad who organized celebrations to honor the former president as the Duterte family announced the creation of a website for his supporters.

Marcos on Earth Hour: Conserve energy, limit fuel useMANILA, Philippines — As the world faces oil supply concerns and price spikes caused by the Middle East conflict, President Marcos called for responsible and sustainable energy use during the observance of the Earth Hour yesterday. “Earth Hour reminds us that how we use energy affects us all and shows not just our ways, but also the kind of future that we choose to build for our nation and our planet,” he added. Marcos said the simple act of turning off lights for one hour goes a long way. He encouraged Filipinos to participate in the cause and be inspired by this year’s theme, “Switch on habits for Earth.”“May the true meaning of Earth Hour be part of our lives starting tonight. Let it guide our habits, inform our actions and inspire cooperation among our communities towards responsible and sustainable energy use.

DOLE readies P1.2 billion fund amid oil crisisMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has readied an initial standby fund of P1.2 billion to assist vulnerable workers, following Executive Order 110 or the declaration of a state of national energy emergency. “These programs are in place to support vulnerable workers, including those who may be displaced as a consequence of the current energy emergency,” the agency added. Meanwhile, over 2,910 OFWs affected by the Middle East crisis have been repatriated, the DMW yesterday said. The latest and fifth chartered flight transported 349 persons, including 222 OFWs, their dependents and stranded Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates. The repatriated OFWs were welcomed by their respective families and officials of the DMW and OWWA at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Friday.

Gatchalian urges talks with Iran over fuel supplyMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday urged the executive department to have high-level talks with Iran for the safe passage of Philippines-bound oil vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. “We cannot afford delays or disruptions that will only further burden Filipino consumers already weighed down by rising costs,” Gatchalian added. Like what me and Sen. (Kiko) Pangilinan said, (it should be) minister to minister or head of state to head of state,” Gatchalian said. “We are already coming up with a committee report because there is a sense of urgency here,” Gatchalian said. I have no computations of my own, but in my estimate, that’s possible,” Gatchalian admitted.

De Lima wants tougher laws on rape, abuseFiled on March 23, De Lima introduced House Bill (HB) 8716, which seeks to expand the definition of rape to emphasize the absence of consent, recognize grooming as a form of predatory conduct that may lead to sexual abuse and impose harsher penalties when the crime is committed by persons in positions of authority or trust. MANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has filed a measure seeking to strengthen protections for individuals, especially women and children, against rape and sexual violence. “By amending RA 8353, RA 11648 (signed in 2022) strengthened legal framework against rape and sexual abuse, including raising the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old. However, despite these legislative measures, rape and sexual exploitation, particularly against women and children, remain serious and persistent concerns,” HB 8716 read. She also noted that, based on data from the United Nations Children’s Fund, around two million children in the Philippines were subjected to online sexual abuse and exploitation in 2021 alone.

Holy Week exodus: 1,297 special bus permits issuedPassengers headed to the provinces for the Holy Week wait for bus rides in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has issued special permits to 1,297 buses in anticipation of the surge of passengers during Holy Week. LTFRB Chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the approval would ensure sufficient bus availability as Filipinos head to the provinces for the religious observance. The LTFRB said it would continue monitoring passenger volume in terminals and may deploy additional buses if needed. “Some of our operators have reduced their bus travels to Batangas City, San Jose, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan,” PITX spokesman Jason Salvador said.

“I believe we have the numbers,” Zamora, vice chairman of the justice committee, said at a news forum. There are examination questions that we may propound as members of the House committee on justice,” she maintained. Justice committee chairperson Rep. Gerville Luistro voiced the same sentiment. It is the direct result of the continued evasion of serious allegations, especially on confidential funds,” Ridon, chairman of the House committee on public accounts, said. “We will always do our duty under the Constitution and I know the Supreme Court will do their duty under the Constitution,” Zamora said.

Sinner reaches Miami finalMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 24: Jannik Sinner of Italy returns a shot against Alex Michelsen of the United States during day 8 of the Miami open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 24, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. MIAMI — World No. 2 Jannik Sinner of Italy stretched his win streak over fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev to seven matches on Friday, advancing to a Miami Open men’s final against Czech Jiri Lehecka. “Standing here again in a final means very much to me,” Sinner said. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who defends her Miami crown against American fourth seed Coco Gauff in Saturday’s WTA final.

Palace open to work-from-home setup amid oil price surgeMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang welcomed proposals to adopt work-from-home (WFH) arrangements as fuel prices continue to rise but said the decision ultimately rests on private companies. “Kung iyan ang magiging panukala ng mga private business companies, makakatulong na malaki ‘yan. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines has also proposed a P5,000 monthly subsidy for minimum wage workers affected by rising fuel prices. Earlier this week, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national energy emergency to ensure fuel supply and economic stability. 12316, allowing the temporary suspension or reduction of excise taxes on petroleum products to help cushion the impact of rising oil prices.

Krog falls short of podium in Asian track championshipsMaritanya Krog keeps pace with riders from China, South Korea and Malaysia early in the women junior elimination race. TAGAYTAY CITY, Philippines — The Chinese juggernaut continued its dominance in the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Track and Para Track Championships, but it was young Maritanya Krog who captured the hearts of everyone at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome. “I’m very thankful to everyone who supports me — especially my mother, my siblings and my coaches,” added Krog, daughter of former road and track national rider and now national team coach Marita Lucas. “I was very nervous during the race because I knew I could be eliminated anytime,” Krog said. Junjie amassed 141 points to outclass Chinese Taipei’s Li Jing Feng (125 points) and Japan’s Tetsuo Yamamoto (125 points).

The quiet normalization of patronage in state universities and collegesPatronage in higher education is often discussed as an episodic governance problem: a matter of particular appointments, individual interventions, or isolated cases of political influence. In some State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), patronage no longer appears primarily as overt interference. That commitment must be visible in leadership practice, appointment standards, research governance and the protection of academic voice. What is at stake is not only administrative integrity, but the capacity of public universities to remain sites of independent thought, critical inquiry and principled public service. Jovito C Anito Jr ([email protected]) is an associate professor at Jose Rizal Memorial State University.

A month into the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, a missile launched from Yemen has been detected for the first time, Israel's military said on Saturday. The Houthis are a military, political and religious movement led by the Houthi family and based in northern Yemen. The Houthis demonstrated significant missile and drone capabilities, attacking oil installations and vital infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. On Friday, the group repeated its warning as the war intensified, and a few hours later, Israel said it identified a missile launch from Yemen. Observers have been split on what course of action the Houthis, a notoriously mercurial group, may take.

Late surge lifts Thunder, Celtics rally to down HawksLOS ANGELES, United States — The Oklahoma City Thunder got back in the win column on Friday (Saturday, Manila time), beating the Chicago Bulls 131-113 to maintain their grip on first place in the NBA Western Conference. Two days after their 12-game winning streak was halted by the Boston Celtics, the defending champions Thunder were again on the ropes against the visiting Bulls. In Boston, the Celtics shook off a sluggish start against the high-flying Hawks to triumph 109-102. The Hawks, who had won nine of their last 10 games, led by as many as 16 in the first quarter. Leonard finished with 28 points and eight rebounds and Darius Garland scored 30 for the Clippers.

Manila to pay jeepney drivers P3,000 a day for free ride programCommuters ride passenger jeepneys along Kamias Road in Quezon City as they head to their respective destination on March 11, 2026. Transport group PISTON seeks P2 provisional fare increase, hiking the minimum fare to P15, to cope with the high fuel prices. MANILA, Philippines — Manila will subsidize jeepney drivers' daily earnings so that passengers on participating routes don't have to pay fares, Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso announced Friday, March 27. In exchange, the jeepney drivers will allow passengers to ride for free. Domagoso said the program was developed within 48 hours after a meeting with presidents of 22 jeepney operators and drivers associations.