Meralco raises power rates to P0.64 in March 2026Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) workers conduct maintenance work along Magallanes Drive in Manila, June 28. MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Tuesday, March 10, implemented an upward adjustment of P0.6427 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in electricity rates for March 2026. According to Meralco, the primary driver for this month's rate hike is a P0.2880 per kWh increase in transmission charges. Meralco attributed this to fixed charges from the second extension of the Power Purchase Agreement with First Gas-Sta. Despite these fluctuations in pass-through charges, Meralco pointed out that its own distribution charge has remained unchanged since August 2022.

La Niña season endsPAGASA said the Oceanic Niño Index in the tropical Pacific indicates a return to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral levels. MANILA, Philippines — La Niña season has ended, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday. Based on the model forecasts, the ENSO-neutral conditions are likely to persist in the January to March through June to August season. “Despite the end of La Niña, other weather and climate systems may still influence rainfall distribution in the country,” PAGASA said. “The LPA (low-pressure area) will have lesser influence in the country’s weather conditions as it moves north northeastward slowly,” PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said in a forecast.

Flexible work setups must comply with labor laws – DOLE“We encourage these arrangements, but they should be discussed by workers and employers and voluntarily entered into based on mutual agreement,” DOLE Assistant Secretary Lennard Constantine Serrano said. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday reminded employers that flexible work arrangements such as a four-day workweek, compressed workweek or hybrid setup must comply with labor laws and should not result in reduced wages or benefits for workers. Serrano noted that guidelines on flexible work arrangements have long existed, citing a DOLE advisory issued as early as 2004 that recognized the compressed workweek arrangement, including a four-day workweek setup. Serrano also said agreements between employers and employees on flexible work setups must be reported to DOLE so the department can monitor compliance with labor regulations. The official also underscored that telecommuting or hybrid work arrangements should ensure fair treatment among employees, including those working from home and those reporting physically to the workplace.

He is the first person ever to surpass the $800 billion mark and is on course to become the world's first trillionaire. But Tesla shares rebounded in the second half of 2025 after Musk exited his Trump administration role and have remained lofty. The Forbes list is based on valuations as of March 1, 2026. It might be a third of that, which would still be more than the next person," said Kirsch who characterized Musk's fortune as "staggering" and "kind of unreal." The cofounders of Google, Larry Page ($257 billion) and Sergey Brin ($237 billion) ranked second and third.

Marcos maintains stance against ICC reentry, draws De Lima criticismThis photograph taken on March 14, 2025 shows the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. We will still not rejoin the ICC)," she said, noting that Marcos spared the details for his reason not to rejoin. "Ano pa nga bang hinihintay ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.? (What else is President Marcos Jr. waiting for? The country ratified the treaty in August 2011, which entered into force in November 2011, giving the ICC jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed between Nov. 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019.

‘Rich vs poor’ excuseYesterday, I watched a former Cabinet member say that it would be unwise to remove or suspend the excise tax on fuel because the government would lose money, and the cut would only benefit the rich who have SUVs and luxury vehicles. The so-called energy expert said that cheaper fuel will only encourage the rich to drive their vehicles more. The call to suspend or remove the excise tax on fuel imports is not a class issue. Category B: #The FFCCCIIBarrioSchoolStory would be an open storytelling category for the general public that highlights the broader impact of the FFCCCII barrio schools initiative. Each category will award P120,000 for first prize, P80,000 for second prize and P50,000 for third prize, while five special citations for President’s Choice award, Youth Leadership award, Media Excellence award, Education Impact award and Community award will each receive P30,000.

Marantan assumes Calabarzon police postCAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A day after his appointment, Highway Patrol Group (HPG) director Brig. Gen. Hanzel Marantan yesterday assumed as acting chief of the Calabarzon police. Marantan replaced Brig. Marantan was replaced in the HPG by Brig. Gen. James Melad, who is also a former chief of the Calabarzon police, congratulated Marantan on his new appointment.

Stocks bounce back strongly, peso recoversThe peso also strengthened against the dollar, recovering from a record low in the previous session as the local currency gained ground amid easing pressure in the foreign exchange market. The peso also strengthened against the dollar, recovering from a record low in the previous session as the local currency gained ground amid easing pressure in the foreign exchange market. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) surged by 2.01 percent or 120.44 points, settling at 6,126.66. The broader All Shares index also bounced back, climbing by 1.82 percent or 60.86 points to end yesterday’s session at 3,407.61. Meanwhile, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed the peso closed at 58.896 per dollar, stronger by about 60 centavos from Monday’s record low finish of 59.50.

Shipping lines cut trips, raise fares Airfare hikes loomMANILA, Philippines — Local shipping lines have resorted to trimming their daily trips and increasing passenger fares to cope with spiking fuel costs, affecting Filipinos planning to travel during the Holy Week. Once fuel prices return to normal levels, our fares will also be reviewed and adjusted accordingly,” SeaCat by Grand Ferries said. The situation will likely force the Civil Aeronautics Board to adjust fuel surcharge for the first time in eight months. With the travel tax abolition, funds for the programs will instead be included in the agencies’ appropriations, Adriano said. Cayetano said budget travel is more accessible now, which makes travel tax a financial burden on the ordinary Filipino household traveling.

Sustained high oil prices are expected to trigger “second-round” effects, driving up costs for transport, electricity and logistics, which broadens inflationary pressure beyond just fuel. The impact of higher fuel and rice prices is like a “tax” on consumers, reducing disposable income and slowing household spending. That makes us more vulnerable to external shocks like the current oil crisis. If this happens, we could face a liquidity crisis like we did in the first Marcos era. So, how can BBM choose to attend useless UN meetings in New York rather than be here to manage the unfolding crisis?

Thus, First Metro explained that the current Middle East turmoil is a cost-push shock, not a global demand collapse. Food, it said, is the channel that turns an energy shock into a cost-of-living issue. Although food is not directly imported from the Middle East, energy imports affect food via transport and logistics, cold storage and processing and fertilizers linked to gas prices. The Middle East hosts the largest concentration of overseas Filipino workers and their remittances are a structural pillar of the Philippine economy. Scenario 3 outlines a prolonged disruption — from a logistics issue to a full-scale supply shock.

Hotel101 opens Madrid hotelMANILA, Philippines — Hotel101 Global Holdings Corp., the Nasdaq-listed subsidiary of DoubleDragon Corp., has officially opened its first European project, the 680-room Hotel101-Madrid in Spain. DoubleDragon said the hotel is an ideal base for visitors attending world-class events and business meetings and enjoying tourism in Madrid. “The hotel is now operational and will begin generating recurring revenue, forming a key part of Hotel101 Global’s global expansion strategy,” DoubleDragon said. Customers can now book a room at Hotel101-Madrid via the Hotel101 App or via several hotel booking platforms. It seeks to disrupt the global hotel and hospitality sector through its tech-enabled business model, positioning it to generate revenue twice: first from the advance sale of individual hotel units during the construction phase and second from long-term, recurring revenue from day-to-day hotel operations.

Eala shines as prime-time spectacleMANILA, Philippines — Together with her rise as a competitor, Filipina ace Alex Eala has also blossomed as a young star drawing sellout crowd. I’m excited so I’m gonna go in with a good preparation and a lot of motivation,” added Eala with a journey that has blossomed into a must-see spectacle – a prime-time feature in what’s considered the fifth Grand Slam. 32 Maria Sakkari of Greece, 6-3, 6-3, Rybakina drubbed No. 28 Maria Kostyuk of Ukraine, 6-4, 6-4, Svitolina beat unseeded American Ashlyn Krueger, 6-4, 6-2, and Pegula escaped past No. 26 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

All eyes on FiberXers in Commissioner’s Cup kickoffMANILA, Philippines — After a busy pre-PBA Commissioner’s Cup buildup, Converge tests its souped-up crew against guest team Macau in the mid-season conference’s kickoff today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. After falling one win short of cracking the semis in the preceding Philippine Cup, the FiberXers went full throttle in acquiring veterans Mikey Williams and Calvin Abueva and young guns Jonnel Policarpio, James Kwekuteye and Kurt Reyson in a series of trades. Kasi bilog ang bola,” said Arana ahead of the 7:30 p.m. tiff that follows the 5:15 p.m. curtain-raiser between Titan and Terrafirma. Macau, which switched monikers to Black Knights from the old Black Bears, parades 6-foot-8 Tony Mitchell as import. Mitchell, who previously suited up for the Star Hotshots and NLEX in the PBA, is backed up by former Brent International School player Jenning Leung, and former CBA players Zijie Lu, Zhu Zhaojing and Li Jiashou.

Kosmas Pickle Fest unwrapsPCL Asia founder Steve Kuhn (left) holds a paddle and pickleball with Kosmas Operations Director Richard Bachmann (right), head referee Gigi Maceda and tournament director Cesar Guinto during Tuesday’s launch of the Kosmas Pickle Fest 2026 in Cebu City. The five-day event features several divisions and the Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament. MANILA, Philippines — Pickleball returns to its Philippine roots starting today as the Kosmas Pickle Fest 2026 fires off at the Net and Paddle courts in Cebu City, gathering a banner field of young standouts and seasoned competitors in a five-day celebration of one of the country’s fastest-growing sports. Organized by Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corp. and Sunrise Events, Inc., the tournament serves as both a competitive battleground and a development platform aimed at discovering and nurturing the next generation of Filipino pickleball talents. The event culminates with the centerpiece Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament on March 14-15.