After flood control, contractors brace for war impactIt’s only been months since the dizzying and diarrhea-inducing flood control mess unraveled. Some contractors, even those with no involvement in flood control projects, are still dealing with the fallout. Rising fuel prices are seen as the main trigger, creating a domino effect across logistics, manufacturing and commodities,” it said. Contractors also anticipate disputes over who will absorb the added fuel costs. This would be brought about by rising fuel prices, peso devaluation, higher logistics costs and limited supply of bulk fuel.

DOE: 500,000 barrels of diesel arrivingA motorcycle rider refuels at a gasoline station in Quezon City yesterday as higher fuel prices are expected next week. MANILA, Philippines — Shipments of 500,000 barrels of diesel are en route to bolster the Philippines’ depleting fuel buffer, as the government continues to build up stocks amid the ongoing global oil crisis. On top of these deliveries, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the government is planning to secure an additional 500,000 barrels this week. This additional supply, however, is expected to just cover an additional five days, as the country consumes around 200,000 barrels of diesel daily. With this week’s adjustments, diesel prices are on track to reach P130 per liter, while gasoline will likely hover around the P100 mark.

Palace defers ICI findings to ombudsmanMANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is leaving it to the ombudsman to disclose the flood control findings of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). “We’ll leave it up to the ombudsman to reveal the details,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said yesterday. The ICI has turned over its findings on the flood control scandal to the Department of Justice. DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez said the files could be similar to those given to the ombudsman a week ago. The DOJ may refer the ICI findings to the National Bureau of Investigation or ombudsman, Martinez said.

An Air Canada Express AC.TO jet collided with a fire truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday, killing both pilots, injuring dozens and closing the facility, authorities said. "The Air Canada jet was obviously cleared to land and from the radio transmissions, it appears that the airport rescue and firefighting vehicle was cleared. United, along with unions representing U.S. air traffic controllers and Air Canada pilots declined to comment. Moments later, according to the ATC audio, a controller can be heard saying: "Stop, stop, stop, truck 1 stop, truck 1, stop." Air Canada, the country's largest carrier, said its teams and those from Jazz Aviation are also heading to the site.

Gains from World IndoorsIt wasn’t actually a disaster for the four-strong Philippine delegation at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland, last weekend despite none of the four athletes making it to the podium. First, the Philippines qualified the most athletes since the first World Indoors in 1985. In Torun, the four Philippine athletes were Obiena, Tolentino and 60m runners Jessica Laurance and Zion Corrales Nelson. The reigning Asian and Southeast Asian Games champion cleared 5.70m in one attempt to register his best jump. “Preparations by EJ should be going well and would be getting it together by September for the Asian Games,” noted PATAFA president Terry Capistrano.

Asian track championships fire off tomorrowPOC and cycling federation president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (right) and ACC head Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill flag off veteran Ronald Oranza during the inauguration of the Tagaytay City Velodrome last June 23, 2025. MANILA, Philippines — Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) president Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio lead a list of distinguished sports officials for the opening ceremony of the 45th Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Track Cycling Championships and 14th Asian Para Track Cycling Championships tomorrow at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome. “In terms of participation, we also have one of the biggest in ACC track championships history,” added Tolentino. The opening ceremony is set at 9 a.m. and the first event starts at 10 a.m. among the more than 600 athletes from 16 Asian countries competing in track and para track. The Asian championships offer 44 gold medals, while 30 golds are staked in the para track competitions.

Bol to be dominant down the road? TNT Tropang 5G super import Bol Bol (center) serves as guest for the Sigla MVP Olympics All-Star Game with MVP Group of Companies chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan (left) and SBP president, PBA chairman and TNT governor Ricky Vargas, who celebrated his 74th birthday, on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. MANILA, Philippines — In his much anticipated PBA debut, TNT import Bol Bol showed a big sampling of his caliber, averaging a Commissioner’s Cup-high 39 points to go with 15.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.5 blocks. Reyes lauded the effort of Bol and his teammates in bouncing back from the listless performance against ROS that led him to say “we sucked like hell” after the fight-marred game. “I felt Rain or Shine just simply outworked us and for us, effort is a sacred value.

Mountain highIt started with a slow, twisty drive up the mountain; our guide said it’s 100 turns, probably an exaggeration, but then again, maybe not. to take the legendary Alishan Forest Train. Meaning no disrespect, it made us think of a PNR train, chugging slowly down the mountain. The first stop was Fenqihu, my only chance to get some Alishan tea – what I came here for! He turned 79 last Jan. 31 and, responding to my greeting, he as usual texted, “miss you, miss yu.”I will miss you, Neighbor.

No oil crisis, but crisis committee formedMotorists line up at a gasoline station along United Nations avenue on March 9, 2026, a day before the staggered fuel price adjustments take effect. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has ordered the creation of a crisis committee to address the impact of the Middle East conflict, even as Malacañang maintained there is no oil crisis yet in the country as supply remains stable. And despite double-digit hikes in fuel prices, there is no oil crisis in the country yet, Castro said, echoing Energy Secretary Sharon Garin. “Secretary Sharon Garin of the DOE said that right now, we are not considering the situation an oil crisis because we have a complete and enough supply of oil,” she said. Asked to clarify President Marcos’ recent statement in Bataan where he mentioned the phrase “oil crisis,” Castro said he was referring to the crisis in the Middle East.

2-day transport strike set this weekMembers of PISTON protest in Metro Manila during the transport strike on March 19, 2026. “This is a larger mobilization because we have utility vehicle (UV) express, bus, transport network vehicle service (TNVS) and motorcycle taxi drivers joining us,” PISTON president Mody Floranda said at a press conference yesterday. PISTON is part of the No to Oil Price Hike Coalition along with Defend Jobs Philippines, Manibela and Laban TNVS. Around 500,000 public utility vehicle drivers are expected to join the strike, according to Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena. Sandy Hachaso of the Bus Employees Association of the Philippines clarified that the transport strike was not intended to coincide with the public’s anticipated Holy Week travels.

No word from VP on attending impeach hearingVice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 to announce her presidential bid in the upcoming 2028 elections. MANILA, Philippines — Will Vice President Sara Duterte appear at tomorrow’s House hearing on the two impeachment complaints against her? “(There) has been no word or message from her camp, as of posting time,” Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said yesterday. Duterte’s absence could leave the allegations against her unchallenged and hasten the case’s transmission to the Senate, justice committee chair Rep. Gerville Luistro warned earlier. Culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust are among the charges filed against Duterte by Fr.

Some lawmakers urge government to postpone Asean summitMANILA, Philippines — Some lawmakers are urging the government to seriously consider postponing the holding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in the Philippines this year to free up public funds amid soaring inflation and a crippling global oil crisis. Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson backed the calls to review the country’s diplomatic commitments, given the severe economic climate. “Former secretary Gary Teves’ proposal merits at least serious study and possible reconsideration. The discussions stem from a proposal by former finance secretary Teves, who suggested that deferring the country’s hosting duties for the ASEAN gathering could save the government an estimated P17 billion. While finance committee chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian does not support proposals to postpone the hosting of ASEAN, he said the government should avoid extravagance.

Pag-asa Island ‘patriotic tours’ launched next monthKalayaan Vice Mayor Maurice Philip Alexis Albayda said the tourism program aims to awaken patriotism in every Filipino who sets foot on the island. MANILA, Philippines — The municipal government of Kalayaan has opened 15 slots for its Balik-Kalayaan Tour, a “patriotic tour” around Pag-asa Island starting April 28. “We are offering this to say that if you are going to Pag-asa Island, you are going there to reaffirm that you are a Filipino,” Albayda said. The seven-day, six-night island experience will include free round-trip sea transportation from Buliluyan, provided by the Kalayaan municipal government. Visitors can stay in transient houses operated by the Municipal Tourism Office, with rates ranging from P16,650 for one person to P57,750 for four guests.

HK teams join over 100 at Beijing Humanoid Robot MarathonA humanoid robot participates with human runners in the half marathon in Beijing last year.

Trillanes files new cyberlibel raps vs ex-Marines, SMNI hostsMANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has once again filed cyberlibel complaints over the allegations against him by the 18 former Marines. He filed the complaints at the Department of Justice on Monday, March 23. “Ito ay bunga nung kanilang mga interviews after nung kanilang presscon a few weeks ago,” Trillanes said in an ambush interview with reporters. The following SMNI hosts were slapped with a cyberlibel complaint:Byron “Banat By” CristobalOliver “Coach Oli” Cristobal“Master Judea”Arjay “Pareng Arjay” PiodinaOn March 5, Trillanes also filed complaints of cyberlibel against former lawmaker Mike Defensor and lawyer Levi Baligod over their allegations against Trillanes. The 12 remaining witnesses opted not to sign after their lawyer intervened, Matibag said.