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.

P20 billion DOE emergency fund OK’dMANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration has approved the release of a P20-billion emergency fund to the Department of Energy (DOE) to finance fuel product procurement, as the country grapples with a “national energy emergency” triggered by the US-Iran war. It aims to stabilize fuel availability, curb supply shortages and soften the impact of volatile global oil prices. The approval came after President Marcos declared a national energy emergency on Tuesday in response to the Middle East war, which he described as posing an “imminent danger” to the country’s energy supply. However, the impact of the fuel supply strain is already being felt on the ground. Senators, for their part, warned against possible corruption risks amid the large-scale government spending for fuel procurement.

The four astronauts selected for the Artemis 2 Moon mission will be the first to travel there in more than five decades. ADVERTISEMENT SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENTIn doing so, they will become the new faces of American space exploration. The journey, set to last around 10 days, will take the astronauts on a loop around the Moon, though they will not land on its surface. - Christina Koch -American astronaut Christina Koch, 47, will become the first woman to take part in a lunar mission. Following his career as a fighter pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Canadian Space Agency brought him into its ranks in 2009.

Marcos Jr. signs oil excise tax suspension lawEffectivity date unclearMANILA, Philippines — President Marcos signed into law last night a bill granting him the power to suspend or reduce excise tax on petroleum products as part of the government’s initiatives to cushion the impact of soaring fuel prices. Any suspension or reduction would be effective for a period not exceeding three months, provided that the aggregate period of the suspension or reduction shall not exceed one calendar year. In an address delivered earlier yesterday, Marcos allayed concerns over the country’s oil supply, saying there would be a “flow of oil” even after the 45-day supply is consumed. The government came up with new systems to ensure that the country would have a steady oil supply, he added. For Senators JV Ejercito and Loren Legarda, President Marcos’ decision to declare a state of national energy emergency is a welcome move but is long overdue.

HPG chief quits amid sex rapsBrig. Gen. Jessie Tamayao said his resignation should not be equated with admission of guilt, but a demonstration of his commitment to due process. Gen. Jessie Tamayao resigned yesterday as Highway Patrol Group (HPG) director post after a policewoman accused him of sexual harassment. According to the complainant, Tamayao threatened to reassign her to Mindanao if she refused his sexual advances. Tamayao assumed the HPG post on March 10.

P44 billion for Metro Manila subway project OK’dThe entire subway will interlink with various railway systems such as the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1, MRT 3, MRT 7 and the Grand Common station. MANILA, Philippines — About P44.17 billion has been released by the government to avoid project delays for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) phase 1 and North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System. Of the amount, P21.28 billion will support the two projects financed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Around P22.88 billion will support the NSCR System under its loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank. The P44.17 billion was charged to the “Support to Foreign-Assisted Projects” under unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 national budget, the Department of Budget and Management said.

Marcos: Talks with China on joint energy exploration possibleMANILA, Philippines — Will a war in the Middle East pave the way for a deal between the parties in a bitter maritime dispute? The Philippines and China are embroiled in a longstanding row over South China Sea areas that are within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. Despite the dispute, Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to resume discussions on oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea during a bilateral summit in 2023. Marcos said he sees a “realignment” taking place “at first in the Middle East” and its effect would be on trade relations. Theresa Lazaro said that while there is no directive yet from the President to restart the energy supply talks with China, it may be forthcoming.

Russian crude oil arrivesPhilippines receives first Russian oil shipment in five years Sierra Leone-flagged oil tanker Sara Sky as photographed in September 2024 at Kawasaki port in Japan. MANILA, Philippines — Days after signaling plans to import crude from Moscow amid the Iran crisis, the Philippines has reportedly received its first oil shipment from Russia in five years. Crude oil tanker Sara Sky arrived and moored at Limay anchorage in Bataan on Monday, according to shipping tracker Marine Traffic. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin earlier confirmed that Petron had negotiated a deal to procure crude oil from Russia. Before tensions escalated, Petron’s Bataan refinery sourced around 98 percent of its crude oil imports from the Middle East, according to the DOE.

House ‘mini-trial unconstitutional’ – VP lawyersVice President Sara Duterte did not attend impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives yesterday. Fellow Duterte counsel Michael Poa said he will attend the hearing of the justice panel after he was subpoenaed. Poa said Duterte’s legal team is questioning the jurisdiction of the justice panel to conduct any form of trial. The Vice President said she would rather dedicate her time to helping Filipinos than attend the justice panel hearing yesterday. Duterte said the hearings are being used so that the House of Representatives can conduct a third fishing expedition against her.

Second week of transport strike beginsCommuters wait for public utility vehicles along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City as PUV drivers were at fuel subsidy pay- out sites yesterday. MANILA, Philippines — The second week of transport strikes begins today with public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, along with commuters, pressing the government for concrete action to address soaring fuel prices. We need to prioritize (fuel) subsidies, free rides, talk to toll operators and give discounts. The group also expressed openness to working with the government and transport sector on long-term solutions that balance the needs of drivers and commuters. Class adjustmentsDue to the difficulty of commuting caused by the ongoing transport strike and the simultaneous cash aid payouts, some universities adjusted their class arrangements.

Sara Duterte camp eyeing to take impeachment to Supreme Court anewFormer Office of the Vice President spokesperson Michael Poa at the good government committee's hearing on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. The defense team sent a letter the day before, objecting to the proceedings. The Supreme Court has intervened in Duterte's impeachment before. 'Ready since last year'Poa said the defense team was prepared for a Senate trial. He said the defense team holds regular briefings with the vice president and that the next steps would be discussed in light of Wednesday's developments.

DBM taps P20 billion from Malampaya fund for fuel purchasesThe government has approved a P20 billion fund on March 25, 2026 to buy fuel and secure supply as oil prices surge. MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:37 p.m.) — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of P20 billion to fund fuel purchases of up to 2 million barrels, as the government moves to secure supply and cushion the impact of rising oil prices. Fuel prices in the Philippines have climbed past past triple digits per liter for most products as global supply concerns intensify. The DBM said the P20 billion will be used to procure fuel products such as diesel, gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas to boost national reserves and help stabilize pump prices. The Philippine National Oil Company–Exploration Corp. will lead the procurement to augment domestic supply.

Gulf Arab states told the U.N. Human Rights Council on Wednesday they face an existential threat from Iran as they condemned Iranian attacks on their infrastructure, which the U.N. rights chief said might constitute war crimes. This aggressive approach is undermining international law and sovereignty," Kuwait's ambassador Naser Abdullah H. M. Alhayen told the Geneva-based council. Other Gulf states also denounced Iran's actions which they said were designed to spread terror. Countries at the 47-member council will vote on a motion condemning Iran's strikes, asking Iran for reparation and asking the U.N. rights chief to monitor the situation. Iran defended its actions, saying more than 1,500 civilians had been killed in the U.S.-Israeli strikes so far.