Transport strike kicks off amid fuel price surgeMembers of PISTON protest in Metro Manila during the transport strike on March 19, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The nationwide transport strike by the transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) is set for Thursday, March 19. According to PISTON’s Facebook post, aside from the stop of plying routes, different strike centers are set across Metro Manila. Several classes have been suspended or moved online due to the transport strike. The Philippine National Police (PNP) also said it will deploy approximately 180,000 personnel to ensure peace and order during the transport strike.

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran targeted oil and gas facilities across the Gulf on Wednesday after Israel killed the Islamic republic's intelligence chief, marking another blow to its leadership. 'Cowardly assassination'The US-Israeli campaign began with strikes that killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei and has since eliminated several top officials. After crowds gathered in Tehran for Larijani's funeral, Khamenei vowed retaliation in a written message. She also undercut one of Trump's key justifications for the war by acknowledging that Iran had not resumed nuclear enrichment. An Iranian missile barrage killed two people near Israel's commercial hub of Tel Aviv, while strikes hit multiple sites overnight, medics and local officials said.

What prehistoric bones bare about early Filipino caregivingStudy finds evidence of caregiving in ancient Luzon, where a disabled individual survived with community support 2,000 years ago. The same skeleton also showed clear signs of scurvy, a Vitamin C deficiency, a condition associated with pain, inflammation and bleeding in soft tissue and bones. "Severe pain is a near universally reported clinical symptom of scurvy," the researchers noted, suggesting the individual likely endured significant discomfort during life. "Having scurvy suggests that Burial 4 likely required direct care beyond catering for his hip ankylosis alone," they wrote. For the scientists, further studies can look at disability and nutrition together to understand early systems of care and coordination.

Flood control cases transferred, malversation pre-trial set in April — DOJThis photo shows a picture of the building of the Department of Justice in Ermita, Manila. MANILA, Philippines — Three of the flood control cases concerning SYMS Construction Trading have been transferred to the Quezon City Court, Department of Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said. In a message to reporters on Wednesday, March 18, Martinez said that the three malversation cases against SYMS Construction Trading were originally filed in Bulacan courts. However, following the Supreme Court administrative matter on handling flood control cases, the cases were transferred to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Quezon City. Hernandez and Mendoza, along with several other individuals implicated in the flood control controversy, are currently being held at the New Quezon City Jail.

A man scoops up oil with his hands in this illustration taken at the Airankol oil field in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan, April 1, 2025. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev/Illustration

‘No work, no pay’ for Bato may be junkedMANILA, Philippines — An ethics complaint seeking to penalize Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa with a “no work, no pay” sanction over his absences faces outright dismissal, as the proposed punishment does not exist under current Senate rules. “Outright the case will be dismissed because you cannot find it anywhere in our rules on ethics or Senate,” Ejercito said. Even if the current complaint is dismissed, Ejercito said the petitioner is free to immediately refile it. The complaint against Dela Rosa is one of nine cases currently lodged before the newly convened ethics panel. While Ejercito withheld the identities of the other respondents, he revealed that some lawmakers face multiple overlapping complaints.

US senators to grill Trump intelligence team, weeks into Iran warThe sun sets on the U.S. Capitol building, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 30, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper/File Photo

Marcos suspends fare hikes for jeeps, buses, TNVSMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of the looming fare hikes for jeeps, buses and other modes of transportation have been suspended. An across-the-board fare hike for most modes of transportation had been approved due to soaring oil prices caused by the Iran-Israel war. In a video statement sent to reporters Wednesday, March 18, Marcos said he has asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend fare hikes for now, deferring it indefinitely. Marcos said the government will expedite the distribution of fuel subsidies to support transport workers. To augment the effects of rising fuel prices, Marcos said he has also instructed the DOTr to implement free rides across the country.

Over 59,000 drivers receive P5,000 cash aidPresident Marcos leads the distribution of P5,000 in fuel subsidy to tricycle drivers in Manila on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Driver Rexson Mape said the P5,000 cash aid is a big help for him and his family. Gatchalian inspected payout sites across Metro Manila, including San Juan, Manila, Quezon City, Mandaluyong and Pasay, to ensure orderly and transparent distribution. He said beneficiaries are identified based on official records from local government units, allowing faster rollout for tricycle drivers. To further secure the distribution process, the Philippine National Police deployed officers at payout sites nationwide.

Senate adjourns for Holy Week breakMANILA, Philippines — The Senate adjourned session yesterday to go on its Holy Week break after ratifying the bill resetting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections and passing other priority measures. During the session on Tuesday, the Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill resetting the first regular BARMM parliamentary elections to Sept. 14. The bill will also synchronize subsequent BARMM elections with the national and local elections starting May 2031 and every three years thereafter. The sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, said the bicam report also settled the assumption of office of parliamentary officials on Oct. 30 this year and on June 30 in subsequent elections. The Senate on Tuesday night also approved on second reading the proposed “People’s Freedom of Information Act.”

Uphill battle in miami beginsMANILA, Philippines — It’s showtime for the Filipina tennis star in Miami. But the 390 she earned for a Last 4 finish in Miami last year will expire at the close of the tourney. 4 laced by two WTA titles and three Grand Slam crowns (women’s and mixed). It’s a long shot for Eala, a titanic hurdle with Top 10-20 players and Grand Slam champions in her way. “It doesn’t matter if I win the tournament in Miami or if I lose in the first round.

Driver in ex-cop’s slay linked to robberiesLiegem Bulalacao, a suspect in the killing of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s former aide George Capistrano, surrenders to police on March 16, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Police on Tuesday linked to robbery cases the accomplice of a gunman who shot dead Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s former security escort. Liegem Bulalacao, alias Biboy, admitted that he has been charged seven times for robbery and theft. Bulalacao said he had no direct ties to Albert Magdaraog, the alleged killer of retired police officer George Capistrano. “I was only with him three times: in Cabanatuan, in Baguio and here in Manila.”Bulalacao said he only worked as a driver for Magdaraog.

Stocks sustain gains as Wall Street edges higherThe benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) grew by 0.49 percent or 29.44 points to end at 6,055.45. MANILA, Philippines — The local market picked up another win yesterday, tracking gains made by Wall Street overnight. Despite higher commodity prices, the local market tracked global movements, mirroring Wall Street’s performance and inching higher than the previous session,” Luis Limlingan of Regina Capital said. He said a slightly stronger peso, meanwhile, also provided a modest cushion to the local market, supporting overall sentiment. Global equities rose following another tech-led advance on Wall Street.

For February alone, CAMPI and TMA’s combined vehicle sales declined by 8.5 percent to 35,842 units from the previous year’s 39,164 units. Compared to the 33,696 units sold in January, CAMPI and TMA’s February vehicle sales rose by six percent. The groups’ commercial vehicle sales also slid by seven percent to 28,795 units in February from 31,010 units in the same month in 2025. Electrified vehicle sales in February grew by 71 percent to 3,098 units from 1,816 units in the same month last year. In 2025, CAMPI and TMA’s combined sales declined to 463,646 units from 467,252 units in 2024.

Economic uncertainty and digital payment infrastructureAn attendant updates the fuel prices at a gasoline station in Cubao, Quezon City on March 17, 2026, following a staggered hike in prices of oil companies nationwide due to the Middle East conflict. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data show that in 2025, digital payments accounted for 72 percent of payments made by individuals. The Philippines built one of Southeast Asia’s most active digital payments ecosystems in the last decade. That thing QR Ph is good, it introduced interoperable digital payments, standardized QR code across banks and e-wallets covering all from micro-small-medium enterprises (MSMEs). Digital payments help improve the efficiency of the broader economy by making financial transactions move quicker and safer, more transparent.