The Philippines is working with Washington to secure waivers and exemptions so it can obtain oil from U.S.-sanctioned countries to ensure supply, its ambassador to the United States said. "We are working with the State Department to get waivers or exemptions to purchase oil from U.S.-sanctioned countries," Jose Manuel Romualdez told Reuters in an exchange of phone messages. As of March 20, the government said the Philippines had around 45 days of fuel supply, and is procuring 1 million more barrels of oil to build its buffer stock. Washington on Friday also issued a 30-day sanctions waiver for the purchase of Iranian oil already at sea. The waiver applies to oil loaded on any vessel, including tankers under sanctions, on or before March 20 and discharged by April 19.

Source: The Standard March 25, 2026 05:47 UTC