Into the abyss? This signals Iran is angry enough to continue the war, suggesting an open-ended disruption of global energy supplies and international travel. Unless Iran relents or the US successfully assures safe transit in Hormuz, supply is now a problem at any cost. Short-term (two to five weeks): Significant pressure hits global supply chains as diverted shipping containers arrive in clusters, causing terminal congestion. We have to work together or sink together into the abyss.
Globe taps Starlink satellite for internet rebootGlobe yesterday said it has finished the initial test for Starlink Mobile, the direct-to-cell (DTC) solution the telco signed up for to extend connectivity in the farthest communities. Telco-to-tech giant Globe Telecom Inc. has tapped the full potential of satellite-based connectivity developed by Starlink as it was able to connect to internet dead spots in Luzon. Globe yesterday said it has finished the initial test for Starlink Mobile, the direct-to-cell (DTC) solution the telco signed up for to extend connectivity in the farthest communities. The pilot, conducted in dead spots in Bataan, Batangas and Rizal, examined the interoperability, performance and reliability of Starlink Mobile. Globe vice president for service planning and engineering Joel Agustin said Starlink Mobile can accomplish these tasks by linking to low earth satellites in space.
Ping: Chavit to appear before Blue RibbonSenator Ping Lacson answers questions from the media during an ambush interview at the Senate on March 17, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson will testify in the Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s flood control corruption probe, Senate President Panfilo Lacson said yesterday. I said yes, if you are testifying on flood control projects, we will schedule a hearing. Co, who remains at large, and his co-accused are facing malversation charges for the P289.5-million substandard flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Charges stem from the alleged misuse of funds for a flood control project in Bulacan undertaken by Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
No oil crisis, says DOE chiefAn oil tanker fills up a gas station in Payatas, Quezon City on Saturday. MANILA, Philippines — Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin maintained yesterday that the Philippines is not facing an oil crisis, stressing that fuel supply remains adequate despite record-high prices. The DOE and even oil companies cannot control the international market,” Garin said over radio dzMM yesterday. The energy chief issued the statement as oil firms implemented steep price hikes yesterday, with diesel prices projected to reach up to P114 per liter. The DOE is also exploring possible oil imports from Russia, with talks ongoing among government agencies and oil firms.
Kaufman withdraws appeal on failed disqualification bid vs lawyersNicholas Kaufman, lead defense counsel for former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court, is banking on the popular defense that his administration used against his critics: there was no criminal intent on February 23, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The defense counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte has withdrawn his bid to appeal his failed disqualification request against Filipino lawyers representing victims in the crimes against humanity case at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman filed on March 16 a three-page notice of withdrawal of his request for “leave to appeal” an earlier decision of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I. In its Feb. 20 decision, the pre-trial chamber said Kaufman failed to substantiate his request for the disqualification of the three lawyers. Kaufman immediately filed a request for leave to appeal that, if granted, would have allowed him to elevate the matter to the ICC Appeals Chamber.
PNOC to buy 2 million barrels of dieselMANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) has begun procuring two million barrels of oil from the global market to shore up the country’s fuel reserves, Finance Secretary Frederick Go said yesterday. This was also double the one million barrels initially planned. Go added that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas may need to tighten monetary policy in its next meeting if oil prices continue to rise due to the US-Israel war on Iran. “If oil prices remain high, if oil prices remain elevated and the situation persists for some time, the Monetary Board most likely will have to entertain a tightening,” he told reporters. “It is high time to give back to the state the authority to manage fuel prices,” Sotto stated.
The survey was conducted just over a week after Duterte announced that she was running for president. The latest Pulse Asia poll on the issue, taken at the same time as the performance and trust ratings, had similar results. But the VP’s numbers recovered following her father’s arrest, and have since remained higher than BBM’s. Like the VP, BBM’s numbers in the first quarter of 2026 are flat, with just a statistically insignificant nudge in the March survey. In the next survey round, there could be more than a nudge in the survey numbers of the estranged UniTeam partners.
24 Filipino repatriates from Jeddah arrive in SingaporePhoto from the DFA website shows the Philippine embassy team in Singapore, together with the 24 overseas Filipino workers from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-four Filipino repatriates have arrived in Singapore from Saudi Arabia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday. The Philippine embassy in Singapore assisted the Filipino repatriates from Jeddah, who were transiting in Singapore on their way home to the Philippines. The group, composed of nine male and 15 female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), arrived on Friday via a Singapore-chartered flight which departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah on Thursday. The repatriates were composed of 124 stranded Filipino tourists and distressed OFWs.
‘No price hike on basic goods for 30 days’A vendor arranges assorted lowland vegetables at the Baguio City market in early January this year. MANILA, Philippines — Manufacturers of basic goods have pledged to keep prices steady for the next 30 days, despite mounting cost pressures from the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Department of Trade and Industry announced yesterday. Meanwhile, prices of the following brands will remain steady for 60 days: Lucky Me, Ho-Mi, Argentina, Lucky 7, 555, Swift Premium, Wow! She said the commitment to keep prices stable reflects the manufacturers’ shared concern for Filipino consumers. The DTI said it would continue to work with manufacturers to ensure the steady supply and stable prices of basic goods.
House resumes Sara Duterte impeach hearings March 18The House justice committee holds a hearing into the impeachment complaints filed against President Bongbong Marcos on Feb. 4, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The House justice committee will hold a hearing into Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment proceedings on March 18, right before Congress adjourns session, to clarify procedural issues now that Vice President Sara Duterte has filed her answer to the allegations. Duterte submitted her answer ad cautelam on Monday, March 16, which gives complainants three days to file their reply. However, priest Joel Saballa and the other petitioners of the third complaint filed a manifestation on Tuesday seeking to waive their right to reply. Duterte only denied the allegations in her 15-page answer ad cautelam, calling them "false and misleading" because she believes "there is nothing" for her to respond to.
MILF wants new chairman for gov't peace implementing panelCOTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has temporarily suspended, since March 12, the supposedly sustained connectivity of its peace implementing panel with its counterpart in the government, whose chairperson resigned last January. The chairman of the MILF’s central committee, Ahod Ebrahim, said on Tuesday that they are saddened by the government’s peace implementing panel being bereft now of a chairperson since the resignation from the post of the retired Army Gen. Cesar Yano in January. “The absence of an empowered and functioning government peace implementing panel due to the resignation of its chairman has left a gaping hole in the implementation of the (government-MILF) peace agreement,” Ebrahim said. "The MILF is hoping for the prompt designation (by President Marcos) of a chairman for the government peace implementing panel so that the shared work of complementing the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro may proceed with clarity, certainty and renewed momentum,” Ebrahim said. We want a new chairperson for the government's peace implementing panel," Macacua told reporters on Tuesday.
How Sara Duterte answered the impeachment allegationsMANILA, Philippines — “There is nothing for [the] respondent to answer.”This was how Vice President Sara Duterte addressed the impeachment allegations against her in a 15-page answer ad cautelam submitted on Monday, March 16. So, just what did the vice president have to say about the specific allegations found in the third and fourth impeachment complaint? For all the allegations, Duterte basically argued that the complaints failed to present “ultimate facts,” which she said should be allegations backed by undeniable evidence. Misuse of P612.5 million confidential fundsAt the center of the complaints are allegations of plunder, malversation, and graft against Duterte. Three DepEd officials attested to this, with some saying they were told the cash envelopes came from the vice president.
Fuel tax relief considered amid oil surgeFrom AB Capital's The Opening Bell: Three MovesEventThe House approved a bill authorizing President Marcos to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes during emergencies if Dubai crude averages at least US$80/bbl. While temporary tax relief may moderate pump prices, it also introduces fiscal trade-offs given the role of fuel taxes in government revenues. However, prolonged suspension may widen the fiscal deficit, particularly if revenue losses approach estimates exceeding P100 billion (i.e. we estimate that fiscal deficit to GDP would widen by 0.32pp for every P100 billion revenue loss, which means 2026E deficit to GDP could reach 5.7%). Even with tax relief, sustained oil volatility may compress margins.
Fare hikes hit commuters across most transport modesMANILA, Philippines — As the conflict in the Middle East continues to drive up oil prices, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulation Board (LTFRB) approved a fare increase across the board, from jeepneys down to transportation network vehicle services (TNVS). Mendoza announced the following fare hikes:Traditional and modern jeepneys get a fare increase of P2 for base rates, as well as higher per-kilometer fares. The new fare hikes will raise it to P26. TNVS will also see a significant jump, with their base fare rising by P20 across all vehicle types. The LTFRB said that ordinary taxis and UV express have also just filed petitions for fare hikes, which they will process.
Prosecutors linked to Duterte killings associated with his administration's anti-drug campaign, including official speeches, policies and other records. Turning pointLegaspi said the hearing marked a significant moment for advocates who have documented killings linked to the drug war. Legaspi's organization has documented cases involving children killed during anti-drug operations and submitted reports to international mechanisms, including the ICC. The activist said many victims' families come from marginalized communities and have struggled to pursue justice domestically. Advocates view the ICC proceedings as a critical test of accountability for killings linked to the campaign.
