On the fourth week of the conflagration in the Middle East, there seems to be a distinct lack of urgency towards the economic tsunami about to hit our shores. On the third week of the war, President Bongbong Marcos has broached the idea of some sort of “crisis committee” to be formed. No details about this has been disclosed and many fear it could be another version of the utterly useless ICI. Meanwhile, several senators have suggested declaring a state of emergency – although principally to address the frightening fuel supply situation. Vibal Group president Gaspar Vibal filed a sworn statement alleging that the policemen’s return to the company premises the night of March 9 was not spontaneous.

Free ride routes on March 26 amid transport strikesA police vehicle is being used to provide free rides amid nationwide transportation strikes against high fuel prices on March 26, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) deployed free rides on Thursday, March 26 amid nationwide transport strikes due to soaring fuel prices driven by the United States-Israel’s war on Iran. Around 20 transport groups are conducting a two-day nationwide strike from March 26 to March 27. Fuel products have surged past the triple digits as tensions in the Middle East continue. The country’s economic chiefs have warned of faster inflation and a weakened gross domestic product should fuel products remain high.

Silver vows NBA tanking solution before draft, seeks Euroleague partnershipNBA commissioner Adam Silver delivers remarks during a press conference prior to the NBA basketball game between the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs at the Accor Arena - Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy - in Paris on January 23, 2025. NEW YORK, United States — The NBA will have a solution by June to teams "tanking" to try and obtain a better NBA Draft spot, commissioner Adam Silver vowed on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time). And he made it clear the NBA wants partners on a new European league to include Euroleague, world governing body FIBA and national leagues around the region. Financial dealings with expansion include working with a different group of banks than those looking over European League plans, Silver said. "This may be an unusual year because of the perception of a deep draft," Silver said.

Philippines pushes deeper defense ties with NATODefense Secretary Gibo Teodoro (third from L) and a Philippine delegation meet with NATO officials on the sidelines of the 2026 Paris Defence and Strategy Forum on Tuesday, March 24, in Paris, France. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is seeking to expand defense cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European partners, the Department of National Defense said. He said the Philippines is laying the groundwork for enhanced interoperability and exchanges with NATO and European Union countries. The DND said in a statement that Cavo Dragone was open to the proposal, noting the importance of sharing information and best practices as partners. DND / Released NATO officials led by chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone at the meeting with Philippine defense officials on Tuesday, March 24.

Emergency, emergency! Finally, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared, through Executive Order 110, an emergency – a state of emergency, a “national energy emergency.” His 2,788-word EO, dated March 24, 2026, also authorizes an UPLIFT for the people – Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport. Under the Constitution, the word “emergency” appears five times; “martial law,” four times. A national emergency, it seems, has no time limit. EO 110 is good for one year, “unless extended or lifted by the President.” In that sense, an emergency is better than martial law.

Corruption top reason for distrust in Marcos Jr., Sara – pollMANILA, Philippines — Most Filipinos who distrust President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte cited corruption as the primary reason for their lack of trust in the country’s two highest officials, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey. The survey, conducted from Feb. 27 to March 2, asked the respondents for their primary reason for trusting or distrusting Marcos and Duterte. In the case of the President, 16.7 percent of those who distrusted him cited his failure to fight corruption or the lack of accountability in corruption issues as their primary reason. Notably, Marcos’ actions to expose and fight corruption was also the primary reason of most of those who trust him. For Duterte, more than half or 51.5 percent of those who distrusted her cited her alleged involvement in corruption as their reason.

Zhang Xuefeng, a prominent Chinese education influencer known for his exam coaching content and controversial remarks, died at 41 from sudden cardiac arrest. Zhang, whose real name was Zhang Zibiao, rose to fame in 2016 after a viral video explaining China’s top universities in seven minutes. Known for his outspoken views, Zhang frequently sparked debate over education and career choices. Last year, Zhang sparked controversy by saying he would personally donate at least 50 million yuan and contribute 100 million yuan through his company if China attacked Taiwan. Zhang’s company said operations will continue as normal and that the interests of staff and students are being safeguarded.

President Donald Trump has targeted U.S. cultural and historical institutions – from museums to monuments to national parks - to remove what he calls "anti-American" ideology. TRUMP COMMENTS ON CIVIL RIGHTS AND SLAVERYLast August, Trump decried in a social media post what he said was an excessive focus on "how bad slavery was." In a January interview with the New York Times, he said civil rights protections hurt white people, when asked about policies that followed from the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The NAACP, the largest U.S. civil rights group, said Trump's remarks were laying the groundwork to roll back social progress. Civil rights groups say such moves undermine the acknowledgment of critical phases of American history.

Iranian state television, citing an unidentified senior official, said Wednesday that Iran had rejected a peace plan proposed by the United States to end the Middle East war. There has been no official Iranian statement about the reported peace plan. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led pre-war talks with the United States, has yet to comment. But Iranian media such as the Mehr and Tasnim agencies have picked up the Press TV report. According to the same unidentified Iranian official cited by Press TV, Tehran has put forward its own five conditions for hostilities to end.

But from my humble point of view, the strategy with the greatest impact and one I have been advocating for, is self-sufficiency. For far too long, self-sufficiency has been treated as an aspiration rather than an economic strategy. But the events of the last few weeks make one thing crystal clear: self-sufficiency is essential ­– not only for energy stability but for the nation’s long term development. We also cannot afford to remain passive participants in global energy markets. Self-sufficiency is more than an energy strategy – it is a path to national development.

PAGASA raises El Niño Watch, sees possible onset by JulyLocals walk over the dry part of Intang Lake in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija on April 22, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — PAGASA raised an El Niño Watch on on Wednesday, March 25, amid forecasts showing an increasing probability that the warming phenomenon could happen as early as July. The state weather bureau said the watch was issued after La Niña ended on March 9 and neutral conditions set in. Under its alert system, PAGASA raises an El Niño Watch when the forecast probability of the phenomenon developing within six months reaches 55% or more. El Niño raises the likelihood of below-normal rainfall across parts of the country, which can bring dry spells and droughts.

Japanese banks back ACEN wind venture in IndiaACEN, through Diyos Renewables India Project Pte. ACEN, through Diyos Renewables India Project Pte. The financing facility will support the development of the 100-megawatt (MW) Bijapur Wind project in Karnataka, India. Clausse, who also serves as president and CEO of ACEN International, said the wind project reinforces the group’s growing presence in India and supports the country’s energy transition push. Just last month, ACEN took full control of its India expansion after buying out Singapore-based UPC Renewables’ 50-percent stake in their joint venture.

Toyota sees EV models taking 20% of total salesMANILA, Philippines — Leading automotive firm Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) is looking to bring more electrified vehicle models to the country as it expects the share of these vehicles in its total sales to reach 20 percent this year, more than double last year’s level, amid rising fuel prices. TMP chairman Alfred Ty told reporters on the sidelines of Stratbase Institute and embassy of Japan’s forum that the company sees electrified vehicles accounting for 20 percent of its total sales this year. Last year, electrified vehicles accounted for just 8.5 percent of TMP’s total vehicle sales. In particular, TMP’s electrified vehicle sales, including Lexus models, rose by 38 percent to 19,516 units from 14,057 units in 2024. Even as TMP plans to expand its electrified vehicle offerings, he said the company continues to sell other models including diesel-powered vehicles.

Surviving the energy crisisThe current war between the United States and Iran is potentially one of the most serious economic threats in history. Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), recently said that politicians and even the global oil market were still underestimating the scale of the crisis. The Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz have caused havoc among shipping and energy companies. Another lesson is that the Philippines should prioritize diversification of its energy sources by drastically lessening its dependence on crude oil-based products. Then, the exploitation of renewal energy like solar, wind and geothermal should be encouraged by the government through subsidies, tax breaks and financial incentives.

AMLC exec steps aside amid flood control probeMANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is undergoing a leadership transition as it continues to pursue one of its largest investigations in recent years, involving alleged corruption in flood control projects. The transition comes at a critical time, as the AMLC leads financial investigations into irregularities in flood control projects, where billions of pesos in public funds have been flagged for misuse. It has already filed three civil forfeiture cases before a Manila court covering assets tied to alleged anomalies in flood control projects. ?The funds will be cascaded to implementing units across 17 regions, enabling the timely payment of completed and ongoing infrastructure projects. DBM Secretary Rolando Toledo said the fund release is part of the Marcos administration’s strategy to keep infrastructure projects on track while stimulating economic activity.