Recto: Oil crisis committee will sustain government effortsMANILA, Philippines — The crisis committee President Marcos ordered created “does not start, but sustains and strengthens” the multiple mitigation measures to cushion the impact of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East on vulnerable sectors, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said yesterday. “This is the same sense of urgency that justifies the creation of a committee that will address a still evolving situation,” Recto added. He maintained the government is making available tens of billions of pesos for aid that would mitigate the effects of skyrocketing oil prices on vulnerable groups. ‘Acknowledge the crisis’Senators urged the Marcos administration to officially acknowledge the ongoing economic situation as an “oil crisis,” criticizing Malacañang’s recent statements downplaying the severe impact of consecutive pump price hikes on Filipino households. Legarda pointed out that the official was present at the Senate the previous week to lobby for biofuels, yet was missing during a critical hearing specifically convened to address the oil crisis.

Isko ex-aide’s gunman nabbedMANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested on Monday the gunman in the killing of retired police officer George Capistrano in Tondo, Manila. In a Facebook live stream, Mayor Isko Moreno presented Albert Magdaraog, the suspect in the murder of his former security aide. Closed-circuit television footage showed Magdaraog and his accomplice Liegem Bulalacao, alias Biboy, tailing Capistrano on a motorcycle near his house in Tondo. Although he drove the motorcycle, Bulalacao insisted that he did not know of Magdaraog’s plan to kill Capistrano. “We can say that justice is served for the family of Capistrano,” Moreno said.

Marcos declares national emergency over fuel crisisMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday declared a state of national emergency amid soaring oil prices due to the Israel-Iran War. In Executive Order 110, Marcos said the Department of Energy (DOE) has determined that the ongoing fuel crisis poses a danger to the country’s power supplies. “A state of national energy emergency is hereby declared in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the resulting imminent danger posed upon the availability and stability of the country's energy supply,” Marcos said. UPLIFT has been authorized to monitor food supply chains, fuel prices, oversee transportation and more. The committee must also come up with long-term solutions that would remove the country’s dependence on fuel.

Fuel subsidy rollout begins nationwide: How much are drivers entitled to? MANILA, Philippines — The government kicked off an intensified, nationwide fuel subsidy distribution on Tuesday, March 24, as oil prices continue to soar due to the US-Iran conflict. An estimated P2.5 billion has been collectively allotted for the fuel subsidy program, with more than 245,000 drivers expected to get a share within the day through their bank accounts or electronic wallets. BusesPublic Utility Bus (PUB) Operators: P10,000 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)PUB Drivers: P5,000 (cash or e-wallet)Minibus Operators: P9,000 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)Minibus Drivers: P5,000 (cash or e-wallet)P2P Operators: P10,000 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)P2P Drivers: P5,000 (cash or e-wallet)School Transport Operators: P5,000 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)School Transport Drivers: P5,000 (cash or e-wallet)TaxisTaxi Operators: P2,000 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)Taxi Drivers: P5,000 (cash or e-wallet)UV Express (UVE)Modern UVE Operators: P10,000 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)Modern UVE Drivers: P5,000 (cash or e-wallet)Traditional UVE Operators: P5,000 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)Traditional UVE Drivers: P5,000 (cash or e-wallet)Modern Public Utility Jeeps (PUJ)Modern PUJ Operators: P10,000 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)Modern PUJ Drivers: P1,500 (cash or e-wallet)Traditional PUJsTraditional PUJ Operators: P5,000 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)Traditional PUJ Drivers: P1,500 (cash or e-wallet)FilcabFilcab Operators: P5,000 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)Filcab Drivers: P1,500 (cash or e-wallet)TNVSTNVS Operators and Drivers: P1,500 (fuel subsidy card, manager’s check, bank account, or e-wallet)Tricycle and Delivery ServiceTo be distributed after Holy WeekThese are all one-time payments, the DOTr said. PUV drivers are entitled to P5,000 in cash relief from the DSWD, which they can get from 17 payout sites.

Citing fuel costs, Cebu Pacific trims routes as passengers report disruptionsPlanes land and take off at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on Monday, March 23, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Pacific Air announced the cancelation and reduction of several flights as it implements temporary network adjustments amid rising global fuel prices. "These changes are driven by the impact of the crisis on global fuel prices, which have more than doubled compared with 2025 averages," Cebu Pacific said. Cebu Pacific has not publicly responded to the specific complaint as of posting time. Cebu Pacific said the adjustments are temporary, as it responds to evolving global conditions.

Eala still struggling to crack the Czech codeKarolina Muchova of Czechia is congratulated by Alexandra Eala of the Philippines after their match on Day 7 of the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium on March 23, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. MANILA, Philippines — The road is not stopping in Miami for the Filipina tennis queen after being “Czech-ed” mate anew. For the 13th time in as many matches, Alex Eala failed to solve the Czech puzzle and thus spiraled down in the world rankings after a Last-16 finish in her Miami Open return at the Hard Rock Stadium. 14 Karolina Muchova in the Round of 16 via methodical 6-0, 6-2 clinic in only 60 minutes, Eala still sees the bigger picture. I do a lot, but I do it to prepare for all different types of players,” Eala beamed.

BARMM execs launch 2026-2028 governance frameworkCOTABATO CITY, Philippines — Officials of the Bangsamoro autonomous regional government together launched on Monday, March 23, the “Mas Matatag na Bansamoro Agenda” as a framework for their 2026-2028 governance thrusts, parallel with the Mindanao peace process. Both fronts have separate peace agreements with the national government, have representatives in the Bangsamoro parliament and are also together overseeing certain agencies of the regional government. “We shall work together in furthering this very comprehensive peace and development framework for our region,” Macacua told reporters on Tuesday morning. Macacua said the framework also includes extensive peace and security initiatives and promotion of interfaith solidarity and ecumenism among BARMM’s culturally-pluralistic communities. “That shall be our governance guides for 2026 to 2028,” said Macacua, who is figurehead of the BARMM parliament and is a senior member of the MILF’s central committee.

DOTr slashes Roro terminal fees to P1 for agri-transport vehiclesHundreds of containers are seen stacked at a port along Road 10 in Tondo, Manila on June 16, 2023. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced the temporary reduction in port charges for Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) vehicles transporting agricultural products. In a statement on Tuesday, March 24, the DOTr said that it will temporarily reduce its RoRo fees to P1 for six months. Before this adjustment, the standard RoRo terminal fees ranged from P65 to P516, depending on the vehicle’s classification. "The decreased RORO Terminal Fee will help in lowering the operating costs of owners or drivers of vehicles with agri products," Secretary Giovanni Lopez said in a statement.

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 10:42 a.m.) — Oil companies have implemented a double-digit increase in diesel and kerosene products on Tuesday, March 24. Cleanfuel will implement a staggered increase of P8.40 per liter for diesel. Caltex will have a five-day staggered increase while Total has two days. If such announced increases are reflected starting March 24, gasoline, kerosene and diesel are estimated to be beyond P100 per liter. Despite the fuel price hikes of other oil companies, PetroGazz has implemented a rollback since March 20.

China Coast Guard broadcasts ‘clearing operation’ near Scarborough ShoalMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard said it has documented for the first time the China Coast Guard announcing its plan to carry out a "clearing operation" in the waters near Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground for Filipino fishers. The "clearing operation" specified four coordinates delineating an area in the southern portion of Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, according to Tarriela's statement. Philippine Coast Guard This image shows the Philippine Coast Guard's report of Chinese vessels monitored near Scarborough Shoal. The aerial surveillance, Tarriela said, came after more than 20 Filipino fishing boats reported being harassed by Chinese Coast Guard speedboats over the weekend. This was also the first time the PLA Air Force, rather than just naval ships, challenged a coast guard patrol aircraft by radio, the PCG said.

Global inflation is taking a bite out of Japan's iconic "hanami" cherry blossom picnics, with an index tracking food and drink costs up 25% since 2020, private think tank Dai-ichi Life Research Institute said on Tuesday. The event, a must-do for many Japanese, is not immune to the hit from rising raw material costs that has prodded companies to charge more for a wide range of food and beverages. "A weak yen and rising global commodity prices are causing cost-push inflation in Japan," Kumano said. "Hanami is clearly facing the negative effect of the global inflationary trend." Core consumer inflation stayed above the Bank of Japan's 2% target for nearly four years before slowing to 1.6% in February due largely to generous government fuel subsidies.

Once the grand residences of Mughal-era nobility, the Indian capital's haveli homes now stand at a fragile crossroads -- a handful lovingly restored but many more sliding quietly into ruin. But he admitted that conservation in Old Delhi remains a huge challenge. "Restoration in Old Delhi is still isolated unless there is sustained support and awareness," said Vidyun Goel, whose family owns the property. In nearby Roshanpura, only a scattering of old homes still stand. Conservationist K. T. Ravindran said that while Old Delhi is economically vibrant, its havelis suffer from unclear titles and multiple claimants.

It will take at least a decade to replace all the damage suffered by the global economy three weeks into this insane war. The first is the inevitable de-dollarization of the world economy. Three weeks into this war, Iran has showed remarkable strategic patience. The global order cannot simply snap back to the old way of doing things. A new world order is being born.

The Philippines said grounding planes due to a shortage of jet fuel brought on by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is a "distinct possibility", Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing an interview with the South East Asian country's president. ADVERTISEMENT SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENTSeveral countries have informed Philippine airlines they cannot refuel aircraft, forcing Philippine operators to carry fuel for both outbound and return journeys, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Bloomberg. Other Asian countries, including Vietnam, have said airlines are preparing to implement fuel surcharges on international routes from early April. Global air travel has been disrupted since the war forced the closure of Middle Eastern hubs, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, stranding tens of thousands of passengers.

Leonid Radvinsky, the secretive billionaire owner of OnlyFans who reshaped the porn industry with a subscription model, has died at 43 from cancer, the company said on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENTThe Ukrainian-American entrepreneur bought Fenix International, the parent company of OnlyFans, from the platform's British founder Tim Stokely in 2018. "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Leo Radvinsky. Leo passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer," an OnlyFans spokesperson said on Monday. Besides Fenix, Radvinsky also ran Leo, a venture capital fund he founded in 2009 that focuses primarily on investments in technology companies.