China asserts mastery in Asian track cycling championshipsMANILA, Philippines — China came, competed and conquered with host Tagaytay City and the Philippines emerging as co-big winners in the 45th Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Track Cycling Championships and 14th Asian Para Track Cycling Championships that ended Tuesday. “Yes, a Filipino rider can in track cycling,” said Tolentino, who rewarded both with cash bonuses before the championships closed on Tuesday. Up next for the Tagaytay CT Velodrome? “It’s a list — from completing track equipment to regularly hosting local, national, inter-club and international championships,” he said. Hong Kong China and Uzbekistan got three gold medals each and Malaysia has two, India and Singapore got one silver apiece and Indonesia two bronzes to make the count — the rest didn’t medal.

Ricky Lee shares candid anecdotes on cinema greats at100 Sine book launchNational Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee (left) and PEP.ph editor-in-chief Jo-Ann Maglipon share anecdotes from Summit Books’ 100 SINE.FILM.PELIKULA: The 100+ Greatest Movies of Philippine Cinema during the book launch and talkback session at SM Megamall. Described by Maglipon as an “alpha guy,” Lee shared anecdotes about his experiences working with acclaimed Filipino filmmakers. “Every time I submitted a script to her, what she usually did was read it as Ricky Lee and not as Marilou. Sometimes, hindi niya yata nasakyan yung gusto kong sabihin. Medyo literal yata yung interpretation niya, hindi niya nakita yung loob ng kwento.

DA: Fertilizer prices may riseMANILA, Philippines — While the country has sufficient fertilizer supply, agriculture chief Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said prices may go up as tensions in the Middle East threaten global supply routes. “I reviewed all the figures on where our fertilizer comes from … supply is not the issue, it’s really the price,” Tiu Laurel said. Corn producers can tap alternative inputs to help maintain yields, Tiu Laurel added. Tiu Laurel said that field tests show farmers can significantly reduce their use of traditional urea without sacrificing yields. FAO projections indicate that global fertilizer prices could average 15 to 20 percent higher in the first half of 2026 if the crisis persists.

With our economy embroiled in this lingering and cruel war in the Middle East, this energy emergency is clearly extending to the food sector, something we all cannot live without, crisis or no crisis, as sky-high oil and gas prices push the cost of food higher. The food sector covers agriculture, production, logistics, retail, dining and tourism. At this time of rising costs of goods, some industry players fear that this would result in higher costs of food. Large companies may be able to adapt but for the smaller food producers, such new requirements can mean higher costs. An open trade regime also strengthens the absorptive capacity of redirected food supplies, mitigating the risks of food inflation, the Oxford study said.

Mother, child finish kindergarten togetherMANILA, Philippines — A mother completed kindergarten alongside one of her children. In Boston, Davao Oriental, 33-year-old laborer Lenivie Latiban received her kindergarten certificate from Buko-Buko Elementary School alongside one of her three children. Despite the physical demands of her work, she attended classes with her child and made time to study before heading to work. Meanwhile, lawyer Martsu Ressan Ladia returned to his alma mater in General Santos City SPED Integrated School as keynote speaker for its senior high school graduation ceremonies. As a Special Needs Education (SNED) learner, he said he turned challenges into motivation to rise above adversity and prove his worth.

Bacojo resumes chase of GM titleMANILA, Philippines — The search for Grandmaster title resumes for Mark Jay Bacojo as he sees action in two strong tournaments in the Battle of the GMs this month and the Asian Individual Chess Championships in Mongolia in May. The 19-year-old Far Eastern University standout claimed his first GM result in an ultra-strong meet in Moscow where he wound up tied for second and eventually third after tiebreakers were applied. “He has one GM norm and if he wins in both the Battle of the GMs in April and Mongolia in May, he could complete the required three GM norms,” said Bacojo’s coach, GM Jayson Gonzales. Bacojo has improved by leaps and bounds in a span of a year, with a number of solid showings.

End the war, Pope Leo pleadsWith madness having overcome the leaders of the United States, Israel and Iran in waging an all-out war to near extinction, Pope Leo XIV has intervened. “I’m told that President Trump has recently stated that he would like to end the war. Pope Leo was making an unusually direct intervention. We turn our gaze to Jesus, who reveals himself as King of Peace, even as war looms around him. Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.

CEBU, Philippines — At least 930 residents affected by Typhoon Tino in Cebu City received their cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Barangay Suba yesterday, April 1, 2026. “Dako kaayo ni’g tabang ang cash assistance maynalang makapalit og bugas ron samot na mahal na kaayo ang gasolina,” said a male beneficiary. Cash aid for driversMeanwhile, DSWD-7 is preparing for the nationwide distribution of Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) to drivers affected by rising fuel prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Each qualified beneficiary will receive a one-time cash assistance of P5,000. This cash relief assistance is needed more than ever.

EDITORIAL – ContigencyMoral, spiritual crisis This is the first Holy Week since President Marcos launched his anti-corruption crackdown with the admonition to crooks to have some shame. Among those who have been implicated in budget thievery and anomalous public works projects are government officials who are known to belong to the Catholic faithful, with some of them even making a show of their piety. David is urging those who have abused power and brought misery to other people to examine their conscience this Holy Week. Such examination could make the person a better human being, and the country a better place. And it could ease the moral and spiritual crisis.

Waiting to beat FloydIt’s now up in the air whether Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather will end up facing off in a much-awaited rematch of the ages. Assuming an actual fight eventually comes off the wraps, here are 10 ways to beat Mayweather. Mayweather won’t know what to defend at the first instance. Mayweather won’t know where to train his sights. No doubt, this will be Pacquiao’s fight to win.

The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) will begin publishing weekly updates on local fuel prices every Wednesday from April 1, in a move aimed at enhancing price transparency amid uncertainties in the Middle East. It will also publish trends in international benchmark prices of refined oil products over the same period. Authorities noted that around 80 percent of Hong Kong’s oil products are sourced from the Chinese mainland, helping maintain a stable energy supply. The weekly charts will compare international benchmark prices of refined oil products with local retail prices for auto fuel, allowing the public to better track pricing trends. As such, pump prices do not necessarily reflect the true retail prices paid by consumers.

DOE eyes fuel purchase limitsMotorists line up at a gasoline station along Norzagaray Road in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on March 8, 2026, as some stations display "out of stock" signs for diesel. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is eyeing temporary fuel purchase limits – “when necessary” – to prevent hoarding amid the raging global oil crisis triggered by the US-Israel attacks on Iran. The measure is intended to ensure that fuel remains available and accessible to Filipinos as the country battles an energy emergency, the DOE said. Although the guidelines have not yet been made public, the DOE said the rules would define prohibited acts and set preventive measures such as fuel purchase limits and tighter regulation of container-based transactions. The committee report highlighted the government possession of legal mechanisms to override the free market.

Bail denied for Zaldy’s 9 co-accusedMANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has upheld its decision denying the plea to post bail of nine co-accused of lawmaker-turned-fugitive Zaldy Co in the Oriental Mindoro flood control malversation case. In a 27-page resolution, the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division denied for lack of merit the motion for reconsideration filed by former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mimaropa that sought to reverse the denial of their plea to post bail. Denied bail were Gerald Pacanan, former regional director; Gene Ryan Altea, former assistant regional director; Ruben D.S. More prosecutorsMeanwhile, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida reported significant improvements in case resolutions following the increase in the number of prosecutors since 2022. From 2,883 prosecutors that made up the Department of Justice’s National Prosecution Service manpower in 2022, the figure rose to 3,025 in 2023, 3,240 in 2024 and 3,968 as of March 2026, he said in his 100-day accomplishment report on Tuesday.

Philippines to Iran: Treat us as non-hostileA person points at a page on the Marinetraffic website that shows commercial boats traffic on the edge of the Strait of Hormuz near the Iranian coast, in Paris on March 4, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has asked the Iranian government to regard the Philippines as a “non-hostile” country to ensure the safe passage of oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The request was relayed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh yesterday, which was also attended by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin. Given their stated readiness to cooperate, we are highly optimistic about a favorable outcome,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said. Castro quoted Esmaeilzadeh as saying that Iran has been awaiting the Philippines’ outreach and has reaffirmed its “strong willingness” to assist the country with its specific requests.

MANILA, Philippines — El Nido in Palawan has been named one of eight best beach escapes in the world by the London-based news organization BBC. With its pristine white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and limestone cliffs, El Nido has long been a favorite tropical destination for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation. In a feature, BBC journalist Francis Agustin highlighted his visits to beaches on islands and archipelagos. Agustin recalled engaging in an island-hopping tour wherein he and his companions swam, kayaked, snorkeled and enjoyed Filipino dishes in a solitary beach cove. “Citations such as these affirm the beauty and prestige of the many treasures that we boast to the world,” DOT officer-in-charge Verna Buensuceso said.