The Western allies trying to negotiate a way to protect the Strait of Hormuz for energy shipping face a stark reality: a similar effort in the Red Sea that started years earlier cost billions of dollars and ultimately failed against Yemen's Houthis. "Defending convoy operations in the Strait of Hormuz is significantly more challenging than in the Red Sea," said retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, who in 1988 was involved in U.S. tanker escorts through the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran-Iraq war. THE HORMUZ QUAGMIREThe U.S. mission to protect Red Sea shipping from the Houthis launched in December 2023, with European nations joining in with their own operation a few months later. The danger zone around the Strait of Hormuz is up to five times bigger than the Houthis' attack area around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that flows into the Red Sea. Sea mines and heavily armed mini-submarines are a threat the U.S. did not encounter in the Red Sea, said Tom Sharpe, a retired Royal Navy commander.

AMLC files asset forfeiture on flood control scandal assetsMANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has filed three civil forfeiture cases for assets tied to individuals and entities linked to the alleged anomalous flood control projects. In a statement on Wednesday, March 25, the AMLC said it filed the forfeiture cases before the Regional Trial Court of Manila. “Following the extensive investigation and finding of probable cause, the AMLC filed three Petitions for Civil Forfeiture before the Regional Trial Court in Manila, the AMLC said. According to the AMLC, the investigation into the flood control scandal is one of the most complex in recent history due to the sheer volume of data involved. “The filing of civil forfeiture cases is the final step to ensure the recovery of illicit proceeds linked to flood control project anomalies.

SCI marks 10 years of championing diversity on the global fashion stageMANILA, Philippines — Championing Filipino design talent has always been at the core of Spotlight Couronne Internationale (SCI), a fashion production company led by international fashion-show director Limuel Hayag Vilela and creative director Alvin Masangkay Francia. On November 30, 2025, SCI marked its 10th anniversary with a grand celebration. Filipino fashion representation in MilanSCI PH’s “My Promise: La Mia Promessa” collection, presented during Milan Fashion Week, presents its take on attainable and intentional luxury. The show, held during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026, took place at The Westin Palace. Globally, they plan to continue bringing SCI PH to international stages to strengthen its global presence.

No country in the region has enforced work-from-home measures yet, but some have said they are on the table. "I think it is a good idea," South Korean Energy Minister Kim Sung-whan said on Tuesday when asked about an International Energy Agency recommendation for people to work from home. "We will consult with relevant ministries and actively consider measures for work-from-home,” Energy Minister Kim told a briefing. The island nation of Sri Lanka declared a public holiday every Wednesday to help make its fuel supplies go further. COST-OF-LIVING RELIEFSome countries have turned to stimulus measures as rising fuel costs bite into household budgets.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the U.S. was making progress in its efforts to negotiate an end to war with Iran, including winning an important concession from Tehran, while media outlets reported Washington had sent a 15-point settlement proposal. Citing two officials, the New York Times reported on Tuesday that Washington sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war in the Middle East. Israel's Channel 12, quoting three sources, said the U.S. was seeking a month-long ceasefire to discuss the 15-point plan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Pakistan has long-standing ties to neighbouring Iran's Islamic Republic and has been building a relationship with Trump.

In the lead-up to the first impeachment hearing today, Duterte's counsel, lawyers from Fortun Narvasa & Salazar, had sent a letter challenging the proceedings as unconstitutional and arguing they were tantamount to an actual trial. A statement by the vice president issued today echoed the objection, saying an unjust "mini-trial" awaited her. Luistro clarified on the record that "mini-trial" had only been used to distinguish the committee hearing from the Senate trial, and carried no legal effect on the nature of the proceedings. Protecting due processThe committee devoted a significant portion of the first part of the hearing to debating how Duterte's lawyers could participate even though none of them were present. Instead, the vice president issued a public statement on the same day of the hearing, calling on the committee to dismiss the complaints "for clear lack of evidence."

Gov't eyes ‘temporary’ coal push amid global energy turmoilThis photo taken on July 6, 2022 shows a coal fired power plant in Oyon Bay in Masinloc town, Zambales province. MANILA, Philippines — The government may temporarily increase reliance on coal-fired power plants to cushion the impact of rising electricity rates amid global fuel supply disruptions, the Department of Energy said Tuesday. Coal accounts for about 60% of the country’s power mix, underscoring the Philippines’ continued dependence on the fuel despite efforts to diversify energy sources. The Philippines remains vulnerable to global energy price fluctuations due to its reliance on imported fuel, contributing to high electricity costs and recurring supply concerns. The discovery is expected to help extend the life of the facility and support the country’s long-term energy security.

Philippines receives first Russian oil shipment in five yearsSierra Leone-flagged oil tanker Sara Sky as photographed in September 2024 at Kawasaki port in Japan. MANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:41 p.m.) — The first shipment of Russian crude oil in five years arrived in the Philippines following reported talks among the Philippine government, private firms and Russian suppliers. The Philippines relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil, facing supply risks and pricing spikes linked to the tensions. “Russia is not a traditional supplier of crude oil to the Philippines or any energy supply, but we are exploring that as well,” Marcos said Tuesday, as quoted in a Malacañang news release. A 30-day window expiring April 11 the US issued lifting sanctions on Russian oil while the conflict is ongoing allowed countries to purchase Russian oil cargoes already in transit.

EDSA traffic volume drops amid oil price hikesMotorists experience minimal traffic along EDSA-Kamuning going to Cubao as of 7:30 AM on March 19, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Amid continued oil price hikes, traffic volume on EDSA went down by eight percent, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday. The official said the percentage is equivalent to 20,000 to 30,000 vehicles, which may not be felt by other motorists. Truck ban, coding exemptionsThe MMDA announced yesterday that oil tankers and vehicles used to deliver basic commodities will be exempted from the truck ban and the number coding scheme. The MMDA is in close coordination with the DTI, which will identify the essential goods that will qualify for the exemptions.

Marcos: Reset in China ties ‘happening,' energy cooperation under reviewThis handout photograph released by Philippine's Office of the Press Secretary and taken on January 4, 2023, shows Philippine's President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (2L) shaking hands with China's President Xi Jinping (2R) during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of People in Beijing. MANILA, Philippines — With the Middle East crisis sending the Philippines into a state of national energy emergency, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. conceded that it may be time to reset the Philippines’ relationship with China. In an exclusive interview on Bloomberg shortly before declaring a state of emergency over energy, Marcos said that a reset on the Philippines’ relation to China is “certainly going to happen.”“It's happening now. Asked if it was possible to partner with China to develop gas resources in disputed areas in the South China Sea, Marcos said that it was not off the table. The president said that the Philippines has always tried to differentiate the territorial rows from the trade agreements with China.

The Philippines is working with Washington to secure waivers and exemptions so it can obtain oil from U.S.-sanctioned countries to ensure supply, its ambassador to the United States said. "We are working with the State Department to get waivers or exemptions to purchase oil from U.S.-sanctioned countries," Jose Manuel Romualdez told Reuters in an exchange of phone messages. As of March 20, the government said the Philippines had around 45 days of fuel supply, and is procuring 1 million more barrels of oil to build its buffer stock. Washington on Friday also issued a 30-day sanctions waiver for the purchase of Iranian oil already at sea. The waiver applies to oil loaded on any vessel, including tankers under sanctions, on or before March 20 and discharged by April 19.

LSEG data shows that between 1049 and 1050 GMT, traders placed bets on 5,100 lots of Brent and WTI crude futures CLc1, worth well over $500 million, based on a Reuters calculation. Over 13,000 lots of Brent and WTI crude futures, equivalent to 13 million barrels of oil, changed hands in the space of 60 seconds at 1105 GMT. On average, in the three years leading up to the war, some 300,000 lots of Brent crude futures would change hands on a daily basis. That amount has doubled in the last four weeks as daily volumes have hit record highs above 1 million lots, equal to a billion barrels of oil. For now, the Brent oil price is just below $104 as uncertainty persists over the total hit to the global economy - and even over the status of negotiations, as Iran denied it was engaged in discussions with the U.S.Reuters

LIVE: House justice panel hearings on Sara Duterte's impeachmentMANILA, Philippines — The House justice committee is set to deliberate the Articles of Impeachment filed against Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, March 25. The panel is expected to review the complaint and determine whether it is sufficient in form and substance to proceed with the impeachment process. The hearing marks the initial stages of impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives. Duterte and her lawyers are expected to skip the hearing.

ICI: Romualdez not cleared in flood control messMANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has rebutted Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre’s interpretation of one of its referrals in the flood control scandal. “The referral did not make a determination of innocence or guilt on the part of former speaker Rep. Martin Romualdez,” the ICI pointed out. An ombudsman probe into Romualdez’s supposed involvement in the flood control mess is being sought by the fact-finding body. Romualdez’s innocence or guilt is not determined by the ICI referral. Alcantara, a state witness, is expected to testify against the former lawmaker and his co-accused involved in the P289.5-million substandard flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Private schools may not follow 3-term calendarMANILA, Philippines — Private schools are not required to adopt the three-term school calendar that will be implemented in public schools beginning School Year (SY) 2026-2027, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) said. In an interview with radio dzBB, COCOPEA managing director Joseph Noel Estrada said that while some private schools are already implementing the scheme, a law is necessary to cover all schools offering basic education. He noted that the three-term school calendar works for some institutions but may not be suitable for all. If you noticed, the well-known schools, the big ones and known for their quality basic education, were the first to implement that three-term school calendar. He added that public schools may find it easier to implement the reform.