DOE SAYS NO FUEL RATIONING AS DIESEL DEMAND DROPS 20 PERCENT
By Alena Mae Flores, Charles Dantes and Maricel Cruz
THE government said Tuesday it is not resorting to fuel rationing amid a sharp slowdown in demand triggered by record pump prices, with officials acknowledging early signs of “demand destruction” in the domestic market.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday presided over a meeting of the UPLIFT committee to review recommendations on possible measures to cushion the impact of rising oil prices.
PBBM vetoes P92.5b
No announcement, however, was made last night on whether excise taxes on fuel products will be temporarily reduced or lifted.
Mr. Marcos is expected to make two policy announcements via video today (Wednesday) instead.
PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s calls that Greenland should become part of the United States was met with international condemnation Monday as the autonomous Danish territory’s prime minister putting his foot down on the issue.
The President met with key Cabinet officials, including Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Energy Secretary Sharob Garin, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Economy, Planning and Devel Next page
‘Whole civilization will die’ if deadline not met—Trump
PNP resurrecting probe into PCSO official's slay
unprogrammed funds
US President Donald Trump warning “a whole civilization will die” if a midnight deadline (Wednesday morning, Manila time) for a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz was not met.
By Rio N. Araja
By Charles Dantes, Thony Rose Lesaca, Ram Superable, Maricel Cruz and Vito Barcelo
TTrump had warned that unless Tehran allowed free passage through the strategic oil chokepoint by midnight GMT, the United States would unleash what he called the “complete demolition” of Iran’s critical infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.
PRESIDENT
US attacks Kharg Island ahead of Trump deadline
Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela has reignited fears for Greenland, which Trump has repeatedly said he wants to annex, given its strategic location in the Arctic. While aboard Air Force One enroute to Washington, Trump reiterated his proposal.
“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” he said in response to a reporter’s question.
HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
TBut hours before that deadline, the Israeli military said that it had already completed a broad wave of strikes targeting “infrastructure sites” across Iran.
Trump, meanwhile, elevated his threat, writing on Truth Social that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will” if the country did not heed his ultimatum.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law this year’s P6.793 trillion national budget, vetoing almost P92.5 billion in unprogrammed funds while putting tighter controls on public spending, including barring politicians from distributing cash and other forms of “ayuda.”
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police
General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma.
Qatar on Tuesday warned the war in the Middle East was close to a threshold where it cannot be controlled.
“We have been warning since 2023 that escalation left unchecked will get us into a situation where it cannot be controlled, and we are very close to that point,” Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said.
"With the National Budget 2026, your government's direction is clear, it will be more prudent and more responsible in spending the people's funds," the President on Monday said, adding that unprogrammed appropriations will not be treated as "blank checks."
Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out.
“This is why we have been urging all parties to find a resolution to find a way of ending this war before it’s too late,” he added.
“Let me be clear: the Unprogrammed Appropriations are not blank
The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder.
Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City.
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry
EHRAN — The United States launched strikes on Kharg Island, a critical hub for the Iranian oil industry, ahead of US President Donald Trump’s midnight deadline (Wednesday, Manila time) for a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s Mehr news agency
A journalist for the US publication Axios, however, said the attack was against “military targets.”
Earlier in the day, a series of explosions was also heard across Tehran, and Iranian media reported that 18 people, including two children, were killed in strikes in Alborz province, neighboring the capital.
allotted as Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall
US-Israeli strikes also “completely destroyed” the capital’s Rafi-Nia synagogue, local media reported. Iranian media said explosions were heard in parts of the capital and nearby Karaj.
The strikes came as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned they would deprive the United States and its allies of oil and gas if Washington crossed Tehran’s “red lines.”
By Charles Dantes
Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Colonel, allegedly gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her in-
THE country
Palace:
Flood control cases must not be publicity-driven
By Charles Dantes and Pot Chavez
Bank.
MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said the filing of cases over alleged irregularities in flood control projects should not be driven by publicity, saying complaints must undergo careful evaluation and legal scrutiny.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration does not support the hasty filing of charges for media attention amid calls to pursue complaints against certain officials.
By Darwin Amojelar
By Pot Chavez and Rex Espiritu
THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even organized crime.
adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
of illegal drugs and illegal activities associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English.
Retired Philippine Air Force Major General Romeo Poquiz was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on charges of inciting to sedition but was later released after posting bail.
Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s impartiality and its ability to pin Chinese national Yang down for ay wrongdoing in a real criminal court.
Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe “unacceptable.”
Trump had warned that unless Tehran allowed free passage through the strategic oil chokepoint by midnight Next page
said due process was observed in the implementation of the warrant.
“The filing of cases is studied and thoroughly reviewed, and not just for media attention—unlike what some noisy individuals do, which does not help in investigating and holding those responsible accountable,” Castro said.
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members.
“The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the website that published the said story. “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added.
The Palace issued the statement when asked to comment on plans to file charges against former Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Francis Escudero in connection with flood control issues.
Castro noted that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. initiated the investigation into allegedly
Bilyonaryo reported online that “Bautista and his long-time protege in Philippine Airlines, Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are at the center of the storm after it was
House subpoenas BIR to submit tax records of VP Sara, husband
By Maricel V. Cruz
Poquiz posted bail of P48,000 as set by the court and was subsequently freed.
He has a standing arrest warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 77 on December 5, 2025, for inciting to sedition.
‘‘The case was investigated and pieces of evidence were referred and forwarded to the prosecution, and the court found probable cause. This was a result of the work of the prosecution service and now he will be tried. That’s the process; there’s nothing personal,’’ a police official said.
The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs.
However, House members argued they did not come by their suspicions about Yang recklessly.
“I am very interested in how they [Quad Comm members] can prove this criminal network in court. In Congress, lawmakers act as both prosecutor and judge,” he said. Yang, who already admitted having a fake Philippine birth certificate, is the brother of Michael Yang, a presidential economic
THE House Committee on Justice has subpoenaed the Bureau of Internal Revenue to produce tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, including nearly two decades of income tax returns, as part of the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
The case stemmed from his earlier call for the armed forces to rise against the government during anti-corruption rallies in November last year.
Poquiz’s lawyers criticized the police over the arrest, but police officials
In a subpoena ad testificandum et duces tecum dated March 31, 2026,
By Rex Espiritu
On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon presented a matrix showing Yang’s first appearance and his subsequent activities at the Quad Comm hearing.
are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping.
the panel directed BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza to appear before lawmakers on April 14, 2026, at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
Poquiz said the police force should follow due process and enforce the law without fear or favor.
He underwent booking procedures at Camp Crame after his arrest and was presented before the court that issued the warrant.
“We saw a pattern, and we tracked it to the top of these corporations... we stripped it of its layers , to get to the top and through it all, we have discovered and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue
have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo.
hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners. Navy spokes debunks China claim of
nouncement
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said the arrest of the retired officer was carried out through lawful means, reflecting the
Lawmakers are seeking records on the “tax compliance and reported income” of Duterte and Carpio, including original or certified true copies of their annual income tax returns from 2007 to 2025.
By Charles Dantes and Pot Chavez
By Pot Chavez
By Alena Mae S. Flores
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said Washington would continue to enforce an existing “oil quarantine” against Venezuela.
PAGASA
By Vince Lopez and Rio N. Araja
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it would intensify its monitoring and enforcement operations against fuel pilferage or “paihi” as well as illegal fuel storage and distribution after authorities discovered a diesel stockpile without proper permits inside a residential compound in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City government is conducting a parallel inquiry into the reported delivery and storage of 20,000 liters of gasoline in a residential area in barangay Sacred Heart.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nar-
PNP, QC gov’t act to curb fuel pilferage, hoarding
tatez Jr. directed the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to investigate the incident thoroughly, and instructed all other regional offices to intensify monitoring and intelligence-gathering in their respective areas of responsibility.
He said the PNP’s various support units such as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) were also directed to assist in the campaign.
“These illegal activities pose real dangers to our communities. We want to send a strong message that those who would dare to ignore our warning on
GMT, the United States would unleash what he called the “complete demolition” of Iran’s critical infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.
But hours before that deadline, the Israeli military said that it had already completed a broad wave of strikes targeting “infrastructure sites” across Iran.
Iranian authorities reported a US-Israeli attack on a bridge outside the city of Qom and a strike on a rail bridge in central Iran that killed two people.
Regional authorities also said that a US-Israeli strike shut down a key highway in northern Iran connecting the city of Tabriz with Tehran.
The Mizan news agency additionally reported a strike on railway tracks in Karaj, outside Tehran.
Ahead of those strikes, university student Metanat, whose classmate was killed two weeks ago in an attack, told AFP that she was
opment Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, among others.
The UPLIFT (Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport) program was created after Marcos signed Executive Order 110, declaring a state of national energy emergency on March 24, 2026, to ensure supply stability, support critical sectors such as transportation and agriculture, and shield consumers from global oil market shocks.
At the House of Representatives, 13 committees are set to hold a joint hearing today to consolidate policy proposals and align legislative action with the Executive branch’s response.
The hearing will be led by Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, and will include panel heads from key sectors such as energy, agriculture, appropriations, labor, transportation and trade.
For her part, Garin said the country still has sufficient fuel inventories and is not at a point where limits on consumption must be imposed.
The Department of Energy also noted withdrawals from storage facilities indicate a significant drop in usage, particularly for diesel.
Diesel demand fell by as much as 20 percent week on week as fewer vehicles took to the streets following a steep rise in pump prices, the DOE said. Diesel prices surged to as high as
this matter will be dealt with the full force of the law,” said Nartatez.
During the operation in Quezon City, police uncovered that the diesel was being stored in drums inside a compound in a residential area.
Neighbors reported unusual activity in the area leading up to the discovery of the fuel pilferage where unmarked fuel is transferred from tankers into smaller containers
Investigators are still determining how long the stockpile had been there and whether similar depots exist in other communities.
“We are already coordinating with
“terrified and so should everyone else in the country be.”
The 27-year-old, who declined to give her last name, said as far as Trump’s ultimatums were concerned, “some people think they are a joke,” but “death is not a joke.”
Alireza Rahimi, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents of Iran, called on young people to form human chains around power plants across the country.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military told Iranians to avoid taking trains until 1730 GMT, and train travel to and from Iran’s second city of Mashhad was cancelled until further notice.
In the Gulf, the King Fahd Bridge, a major artery connecting Saudi Arabia and the island nation of Bahrain, was temporarily closed as a precaution amid fears of retaliatory strikes by Iran.
Overnight, attacks on Saudi Arabia hit a petrochemical complex in a sprawling industrial area in the eastern city of Jubail, a witness who requested anonymity told AFP, hours after similar installations in Iran were struck. AFP
P168 per liter this week after oil companies implemented increases ranging from P11.80 to P14 per liter.
“I think the observation is not really an exact calculation, but I think the estimate, just based on the withdrawals in the storage of our companies, [is] around a 20% to 25% decrease, week on week,” Garin said.
DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said the Philippines is already experiencing demand destruction, a term used to describe a sustained decline in consumption due to high prices.
“Our estimate is between 20% to 40%. It’s hard to pin down because we don’t have actual data on demand or sales. But based on inventory levels, yes, at least 20% demand destruction, particularly in diesel,” Sales said.
The country’s total fuel inventory stands at 50.42 days, including confirmed deliveries scheduled until May 1.
Broken down, gasoline stocks are sufficient for 57.58 days, diesel for 47.26 days, kerosene for 106.22 days, jet fuel for 66.37 days, fuel oil for 52.26 days, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for 33.10 days.
“We have issued anti-hoarding policies... only allowing a full tank for cars or allowing containers to be filled up only for limited sectors like agriculture or essential government services,” Garin said. “Are we prescribing any rationing or fuel limits? Not necessarily. We’re not at that point.”
Still, the DOE warned that global supply disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict could have lasting effects on fuel prices and availability.
House...
From A1
The posts cited by the PCO included claims of an “energy lockdown” allegedly meant to mislead the public into buying solar panels, a supposed “fuel shortage” designed to trigger panic buying of petroleum products, and a fabricated “emergency lockdown” tied to a non-existent COVID-19 variant.
“All these posts are blatant lies and fabrications that fall under the definition of ‘false news,’” Gomez said, noting that such acts are punishable under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, with heavier penalties if committed online under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The PCO said the posts were identified by its Anti-Fake News Desk, created following the launch of the government’s “Oplan Kontra Fake News” campaign last month.
Gomez said the agency has submitted initial findings to the DOJ for further investigation, stressing that the government will take a “zero tolerance” approach toward individuals who deliberately spread disinformation.
“Any attempt to mislead the public about energy security, supply, or pricing to sow confusion will be treated as a serious offense,” he said.
Gomez added that PCO is intensifying its efforts to monitor social media and other information platforms to detect and counter disinformation campaigns, emphasizing its mandate to ensure accurate public information and safeguard energy stability.
Service contract program for PUVs starting April 15 to aid commuters
the DOE (Department of Energy) to ensure a solid case build-up against those involved,” Nartatez added. Nartatez also underscored the role of the public in maintaining safety as he vowed that any establishment of illegal fuel depots will be dealt with firmly.
“Public safety is a shared responsibility. We call on our citizens to be vigilant. If you see suspicious activities, like illegal fuel transfers in residential areas, report it immediately to the nearest police station or through our hotlines. Your vigilance is our best defense,” he said.
‘Whole... From A1
Iran’s ambassador to Kuwait urged Gulf states to find a way to avert a “tragedy.”
“We hope that the countries in the region will use all their diplomatic and political capabilities to prevent such a tragedy from befalling the region,” Mohammad Toutounji told Agence France-Presse.
Both Trump and Iran have said a proposal touted by international mediators for a 45-day ceasefire is not yet ready.
Trump had said earlier that the plan, which is being mediated by Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, was a “significant proposal,” but he later went on to say it was not good enough.
Iranian state media quoted officials as saying that Tehran too “has rejected a ceasefire and insists on the need for a definitive end to the conflict.”
Under the plan, Iran would reopen the strait while charging around $2 million per vessel, a fee it would share with neighbouring Oman, the New York Times reported.
Iran has effectively blocked the strait since the start of the war on February 28, driving up global oil and gas prices. Around one-fifth of the world’s oil normally flows through the strait. AFP
Garin said she does not expect pump prices to fall as quickly as they rose, even if tensions in the region ease.
“There is permanent damage in the structure of the international oil community,” she said.
“There’s no assurance also of the availability of supply from the Middle East because most of the structures have been destroyed by the war that’s going on. It will take months or even years for LNG to reconstruct or to rehabilitate all these structures,” she added.
At the House, lawmakers are also considering structural reforms to reduce the country’s long-term exposure to global oil price volatility.
One such proposal seeks to impose stiffer penalties on fuel hoarding and profiteering.
Parañaque 2nd District Rep. Brian Yamsuan has filed House Bill 8616, which would increase prison terms for violators to between five and 15 years, up from the current two to five years under existing law.
Speaker Faustino Dy III has directed the committees to coordinate closely with government agencies and produce concrete policy interventions to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices.
Among those invited to brief lawmakers are Garin, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Balisacan, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, and Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo.
Officials from regulatory agencies, revenue offices and multilateral in-
The order also covers corporations and business interests allegedly linked to the couple, including Metro City Chow Foods Corp., Gencorp Industries Inc., Carpio Lawyers, 888 Bistro, CALE88 Foods Corp., Madayaw Fisheries Corp., Mati City Ice Plant and Cold Storage Inc., Amianan Shores Inc., Geometry Security and Investigation Agency Inc., and Cabletow 88 Shipping and Marine Services Inc.
The panel said the records are needed to identify and authenticate submissions, including income tax returns and annual financial statements of Duterte, Carpio, and their business entities.
The House committee is currently conducting hearings to determine whether there is sufficient basis to elevate the impeachment complaints against Duterte to the plenary for possible transmittal to the Senate.
Meanwhile, the controversial name “Mary Grace Piattos” surfaced in documents sought by the House Committee on Justice after it issued a
stitutions are also expected to attend, including representatives from the Energy Regulatory Commission, the National Electrification Administration, the Philippine National Oil Company, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Bureau of Customs, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Quimbo said the joint hearing aims to gather critical data and craft a unified legislative response that can be implemented quickly to protect vulnerable sectors.
As for his bill, Yamsuan said: “This kind of greed and exploitation should not be allowed to go unaddressed amid the crisis besetting our countrymen.”
“Our proposed legislation seeks to substantially increase the penalties imposed under the current law owing to the abhorrent nature of these crimes,” he added.
“We hope that Congress would act swiftly and pass this bill when session resumes next month so that it would serve as a deterrent to those who profit from the misery and hardship that Filipinos face during times of volatile fuel prices,” Yamsuan said.
Yamsuan cited reports that the DOE received at least 87 complaints of excessive fuel price increases early last month and issued 55 show-cause orders to gas station operators.
Data from the Philippine National Police showed that 375 out of 14,519 gas stations nationwide have temporarily closed due to supply constraints, while nine cases involving hoarding and profiteering have already been filed.
separate subpoena to a state auditor of the Commission on Audit (COA) in connection with records tied to Duterte’s confidential funds.
In another subpoena dated March 31, the panel directed State Auditor V Atty. Gloria A. Camora of the COA Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office, through COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba, to appear at the April 14 hearing and submit original documents covering the use and liquidation of confidential funds.
Lawmakers requested “all submissions by the Office of the Vice President to COA in relation to the liquidation of confidential funds” from 2022 to 2023, including checks, disbursement vouchers, liquidation reports, certifications, accomplishment reports, and proof of submissions to Malacañang, the Senate, and the House.
The committee also sought Documentary Evidence of Payments (DEPs) bearing specific payee names, including “Milky Secuya,” “Kokoy Villamin,” “Mary Grace Piattos,” and “Irene Tan,” as well as documents with unreadable, incomplete, unsigned, or undated payee information.
By Rio Araja, Maricel Cruz, and Ram Superable
THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday said it will roll out a commuter assistance program through service contracting beginning April 15 in Metro Manila and other key urban centers.
The LTFRB and other government agencies are ramping up both immediate relief measures and longer-term policy responses to shield commuters, workers, and low-income households from the widening economic impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Alongside the service contracting rollout, the LTFRB reported that nearly P1 billion in fuel subsidies – P5,000 to each public utility vehicle (PUV) driver and operator -- has already been distributed to beneficiaries nationwide.
The National Capital Region (NCR) accounted for the largest share, with P200 million already released, the agency said.
Additional allocations include P150 million from the LTFRB central office, P99 million for CALABARZON, P86 million for Central Visayas, P82 million pesos for Central Luzon, and P69 million for Northern Mindanao.
The P5,000 fuel subsidy covers drivers and operators of modern and traditional jeepneys, UV Express units, regular and point-to-point buses, transport network vehicle service (TNVS) partners, taxis, and tricycles. Delivery service riders and motorcycle taxi operators are also among the beneficiaries.
Complementing these efforts, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it will conduct a special payout next week to distribute cash relief assistance to transport workers in Metro Manila who have yet to receive aid.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, DSWD spokesperson, said members of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations and Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations will receive P5,000 each under the program.
The payout will also include qualified drivers from transport network vehicle services, motorcycle taxi operators, and delivery riders who were either not included in earlier beneficiary lists or failed to claim their assistance during previous distribution schedules.
Dumlao said the DSWD will designate four payout sites across Metro Manila to minimize travel costs for beneficiaries. Locations will be publicly announced to guide aid recipients.
The department is also coordinating with transport network companies to verify beneficiary lists and remove duplicate entries, particularly among appbased drivers.
anomalous flood control projects and is committed to holding those found liable accountable.
“We all know that President Marcos Jr. led the investigation into allegedly anomalous flood control projects and wants those responsible to be held accountable,” she said.
“(But) evidence will be the basis, and due process is what’s needed,” Castro said, adding that accountability must be anchored on solid evidence capable of withstanding legal scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday served a subpoena duces tecum directing House Secretary-General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil to submit the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) of former House Deputy Secretary-General Sofonias Ponce Gabonada Jr. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the document had been “served and received by the House,” noting that Gabonada had become a person of interest in the investigation into alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects.
“He has become a person of interest in our investigation… He has become somewhat central to our probe. Let us just say Gabonada knows a lot,” Clavano told reporters.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla formally requested the documents as part of a thorough probe into alleged infrastructure project anomalies, saying Gabonada’s SALN could help determine whether there had been undeclared wealth or financial irregularities.
Palace: Flood...
From A1
Gov’t ramps up reintegration support for OFWs from MidEast
By Rolando Ng III and Vito Barcelo
THE government is ramping up reintegration support for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by the Middle East conflict, with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) rolling out training and employment programs for displaced workers.
TESDA has begun distributing scholarship grants to affected OFWs to help them enroll in skills training programs, as DirectorGeneral Kiko Benitez said the agency’s programs are tailored to match the workers’ abilities and career goals.
“We provide them with the training that is in accordance with the aspirations that they have for their own lives. It allows them to find where these job openings actually are and what kind of training they may need,” Benitez told Manila Standard on Monday.
Of the 6,000 training vouchers being prepared, around 800 newly repatriated OFWs have already benefited from the program, he added.
“Our preference, of course, is that they stay in the Philippines. TESDA has a way of matching job openings with the kinds of training that you will get,” Benitez said, noting that workers decide ultimately whether to pursue opportunities locally or abroad. DepEd is also extending assistance to returning teachers through its “Sa Pinas, Ikaw at Ma’am/Sir” (SPIMS) program, which helps Filipino educators abroad transition into the public school system. Established in 2014, the SPIMS program serves as a pathway for overseas Filipino teachers seeking local employment.
In addition, aptitude assessments such as the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) test are on offer to returning OFWs during the National Reintegration Network Fair in Quezon City.
The assistance comes as more than 40,000 OFWs remain stranded in Manila following a deployment ban imposed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) covering several Middle East countries amid the ongoing regional conflict.
The ban affects deployment to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Israel, and Lebanon, halting the movement of thousands of Filipinos bound for overseas employment, according to recruitment expert Emmanuel Geslani.
Silliman fine arts dep’t opens summer workshops
By Minerva Newman
DUMAGUETE — The Fine Arts Department of Silliman University’s College of Performing and Visual Arts launched a series of summer workshops in April and May, providing opportunities for aspiring artists across different age groups to develop their creative skills in various disciplines. Among the offerings is the Arts and Crafts for Children workshop, designed for participants aged 6 to 12 years old. The program runs in two batches, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on April 6 to 10 and again on May 4 to 8. For those interested in painting, the department will conduct an Intensive Acrylic Painting workshop for participants aged 12 years old and above. This is also scheduled in two batches, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on April 13 to 17 and again on May 11 to 15. The hands-on program covers color theory, painting techniques, and studio practices, with participants producing their own works to be exhibited at the Romeo Art Gallery. This has a workshop fee of P6,000, exclusive of materials. The department will also offer a Basic and Advanced Photography Workshop for participants seeking to develop and refine their visual storytelling skills. The Basic Photography workshop will be held from April 6 to 10, followed by the Advanced Photography workshop from April 13 to 17. Both sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Finally, a Clay Sculpture Workshop will also be conducted from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. between April 13 and 17.
Public warned vs. latest scam on FB Messenger
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development warned the public against scam messages on the social media app Messenger, inviting individuals to provide their contact numbers in exchange for P8,000 in cash assistance from the DSWD.
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, DSWD spokesperson, said the department will never send messages to beneficiaries asking for their personal details, including contact numbers, in exchange for financial assistance. She also reminded the public that malicious individuals often take advantage of crises to collect personal data and facilitate fraudulent activities.
Scammers also pretend to be a beneficiary’s relative, instructing them to join a group chat or sign up for a specific list to avail of financial assistance.
“Before we give information or click on links sent to us, let’s first make sure that these are legit accounts. If it comes from DSWD, it must come from official DSWD accounts with a verified badge,” Dumlao said.
Dumlao called on the public to coordinate and seek assistance only through the DSWD’s Field Offices in their respective regions, the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs) in their cities and municipalities, or the official DSWD website and social media page.
TOURISM FEELS THE PINCH, TOO. A slump in tourist arrivals has been observed in La Union, traditionally a favored destination during the summer months for its pristine beaches, due to expensive travel costs amid oil price surges. Dave Leprozo
Intelligence report places Atong Ang in Vietnam—DILG
By Vince Lopez
DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secre-
tary Juanito Victor Remulla on Tuesday, April 7, said intelligence reports indicated that fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Tiu Hay Ang had been spotted in Vietnam.
Remulla said authorities are verifying the intelligence report, noting that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) had no record of Ang’s supposed departure from the Philippines. Authorities are also looking into the possibility that he used a backdoor exit.
“It seems like the intel came to us a month ago, but we are verifying whether it is true or not through backchannels with our counterparts in Vietnam. Again, it is an intelligence report and we are following it up for confirmation with the Vietnam authorities. He doesn’t have any records from the BI that he went through there, so most likely he went through the backdoor to the Mindanao part,” Remulla told Camp Crame beat reporters in a phone interview.
Remulla expressed doubt that Ang would be able to establish a gambling business in Vietnam.
“It’s difficult because it’s a communist government. They are very strict in law and order, so I don’t think he would be able to apply for his business there,” he added.
Ang was earlier reported to have been hiding in Cambodia, and there were suspicions he moved to Vietnam due to the ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling and online scam operations.
Filipina killed in Israel strike; PBBM orders aid
By Katrina Manubay and Charles Dantes
ANOTHER Filipino national was killed in a missile strike in Haifa, Israel on Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Tuesday.
In a statement, the DFA said the victim’s identity, a woman married to an Israeli national, was withheld at her family’s request for privacy as they grieve. She died with her husband and elderly parents-in-law.
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE project site of the alleged P92.8million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, the subject of a malversation case against former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and six others, had no structure, a prosecution witness from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.
DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) officer-incharge Kenneth Fernando made the testimony during Day 2 of the bail hearing of Revilla and six others at the Sandiganbayan, GMA News reported.
“My team in Bulacan 1st DEO, based on the coordinates in the transparency portal, went to the project site to confirm the status of the project. The site visit was dated March 26. There were no structures seen,” Fernando said during questioning by Sandiganbayan Third Division Associate Justice Ronald Moreno.
Asked why he was certain he visited the correct coordinates, Fernando replied that he checked available records in the Bulacan 1st DEO using the original plan, including bidding and implementation records.
Asked whether a project site could be changed once a contract is awarded, Fernando said this was not allowed.
“The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has informed the family and is providing all necessary assistance, including arrangements for the earliest possible repatriation of her remains despite the current travel situation in the region,” the statement read.
The DFA also assured it would reach out and support the victim’s
family. In a separate post, DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro extended her sympathies to the victim’s family.
The victim was the second Filipina killed in Israel after the United States and Israel launched multiple strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and leadership, prompting retaliatory actions by Iran.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed condolences to the family of the Filipino killed in the missile attack in Haifa, Israel, and ordered government agencies to extend
assistance, including the repatriation of the victim’s remains.
“We extend our condolences to the family of our fellow countryman who lost his life in the missile attack that took place in Haifa, Israel. We share in the grief of his family amid a tragedy that no one should ever have to experience,” Mr. Marcos said on his X account.
The President said he had directed concerned agencies to provide full support to the victim’s family and ensure the immediate return of her remains to the Philippines.
He added that the Philippine Embassy in Israel is on standby to deliver all necessary assistance.
“We continue to monitor the situation in the region. The safety of every Filipino is our top priority,” he said.
The President also called for national solidarity with the grieving family.
SC issues rules on lascivious conduct
By Pot Chavez
THE Supreme Court (SC) on Monday announced guidelines on the proper prosecution of lascivious conduct cases under the Child Abuse Law. In its decision, the SC En Banc laid down the guidelines to ensure uniform and consistent prosecution of cases.
The Court clarified the scope of lascivious conduct under the law and distinguished it from related crimes under the Revised Penal Code.
The SC noted that Section 5(b) of the Child Abuse Law applies to children aged 16 to below 18 who
are subjected to sexual abuse. It added that the provision covers situations where consent is present but defective.
The Court also said Section 5(b) does not apply when the act involves force, intimidation, fraud, deprivation of reason, unconsciousness, or grave abuse of authority, which fall under acts of lasciviousness under the Revised Penal Code.
Lastly, the SC said that if the victim is under 12 or under 16, and the case does not fall under Section 5(b), the crime is considered rape or acts of lasciviousness under the Revised Penal Code.
PDEA, cops seize P47.6m shabu in QC; 3 arrested THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), along with the Philippine National Police, arrested three drug suspects and confiscated about 7,000 grams of suspected shabu worth P47.6 million in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City on April 6 at 2:50 p.m.
Arrested in the joint operation were alias Ariel, 31, a driver from Piang, Maguindanao; alias Eduard, 38, jobless from Calabanga, Camarines Sur; and alias Ibrahim, 45, a driver from Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. Authorities charged the suspects with non-bailable offenses for violation of Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) and Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PDEA-National Capital Region agents also recovered one genuine P1,000 bill used as buy-bust money, three identification cards, two mobile phones, and one vehicle during the operation. Rio N. Araja
BI deports 5 Japanese linked to JP Dragon gang
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) deported five Japanese nationals linked to the notorious JP Dragon syndicate to Tokyo as part of the government’s intensified campaign against foreign fugitives.
BI Warden Facility Chief Velasco Felix identified the deportees as Iwamoto Miyako, Osawa Ayumi, Norichika Harada, Nobuyuki Arima, and Yuya Yano, who left Tuesday morning aboard a Japan Airlines flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
The BI said several of the deportees belonged to a breakaway faction of the JP Dragon syndicate, which has been linked to large-scale scam operations targeting victims, including elderly individuals.
Japanese authorities issued arrest warrants against the group for fraud and theft, including schemes that trick victims into surrendering bank information and money. Authorities also linked them to suspicious online workstations in the Philippines believed to be used for scams.
Vito Barcelo
Customs seizes P53m fake medicines from China
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized more than P53 million worth of fake medicines and counterfeit goods at the Manila International Container Port, warning the drugs could pose serious health risks, including death.
Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the shipment from China was declared as pet cages but inspection revealed 880 boxes of undeclared items, including more than 220 boxes of pharmaceutical products and counterfeit inks.
The consignee was identified as South LG Consumer Goods Trading.
The BOC said the shipment lacked required permits and registration from the Food and Drug Administration, violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Republic Act 9711 or the FDA Act of 2009. Vito Barcelo
FIT FOR DUTY. The Coast
COOLER.
shop in Quezon City. Joan Bondoc
WHENEVER I visit our communities, one thing is consistent. Local officials approach us with requests. Sometimes it happens in a municipal hall, sometimes in a barangay, sometimes even along the roadside. They come prepared, often with resolutions in hand, asking for support for projects their communities urgently need.
Most of these are basic but essential. Roads, bridges, classrooms, health centers. These are not grand ambitions. They are practical solutions to everyday problems. And yet, for many communities, they make a real difference. The reality is that many local governments are working within very limited resources. They want to do more, but they simply cannot do it alone. That is why they reach out to Congress.
Not as a first option, but because it is often the only viable path. In that sense, we serve as their link to the national government, helping bring their priorities into the national budget.
Power must be exercised with care, protected when necessary, and always directed toward what truly matters
This role is anchored in the Constitution itself. The power of the purse is vested in Congress, and more specifically, appropriation bills must originate from the House of Representatives under Article VI, Section 24 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. That provision reflects a clear intent. Members of the House, being closest to the people, are expected to shape the budget in a way that responds to real conditions on the ground.
From that mandate, three principles guide how this power should be exercised: power, purpose, and people.
Power defines the authority given to Congress. The executive, through the National Expenditure Program, proposes the budget. But it is Congress that reviews, revises, and ultimately enacts it. Article VI, Section 25 makes it clear that while Congress cannot increase the total amount proposed by the President, it has full authority to realign, modify, and introduce items within that ceiling.
This is why members of the House submit amendments and propose new projects. It is not an intrusion into executive functions. It is the exercise of a constitutional duty.
There is also no distinction in how this responsibility is carried out. While the Constitution assigns the origination of appropriations to the House, both chambers participate in the budget process, and the Senate exercises its role through review and concurrence.
Within the House itself, there is likewise no distinction between district representatives and party-list
representatives in this function. Both are members of Congress. Both are elected to represent sectors of the Filipino people.
Both are equally mandated to participate in shaping the national budget.
Purpose speaks to how this authority is used. The budget process is not just about inserting projects or allocating funds. It is a process of scrutiny. During hearings, agencies are asked to justify their proposals.
Past performance is examined.
Outcomes are measured. Decisions are made not only on what to fund, but also on what to reduce or even remove.
This is where the power of the purse becomes a tool for accountability.
Public funds are not automatic entitlements. They must be earned through performance and justified through results.
When Congress reduces or denies funding, it is not acting arbitrarily. It is exercising oversight. It is making a statement about priorities and performance.
People, in the end, is what gives meaning to all of this.
The authority to shape the budget is not without limits. The President retains the power to veto, in whole or in part, under Article VI, Section 27. And beyond institutional checks, there is the most important one: the people themselves.
Every decision made in the budget process affects lives. And the public does not forget. Elections are the ultimate measure of accountability.
The presumption of regularity in the actions of government stands as long as public officials remain faithful to their mandate. When that trust is broken, the people respond.
This is why any action that weakens this constitutional balance must be examined carefully.
When the executive, through agencies like the Department of Budget and Management, delays or withholds the implementation of duly enacted congressional adjustments, including those classified as Congress-Introduced Changes and Adjustments or CICA, it raises serious concerns.
Once the General Appropriations Act is enacted, it is no longer a proposal. It is the law. To delay or refuse its implementation, despite compliance with requirements, is not a minor administrative issue.
It begins to resemble budget impoundment. And impoundment, by its nature, undermines the authority of Congress over appropriations.
The Constitution is clear in its design. The executive proposes. Congress disposes. That balance must be respected if our system is to function as intended.
Behind every item in the budget is a real need. It is a school that has yet to rise, a health service that has yet to reach a patient, a road that could connect a community to opportunity.
That is what makes this responsibility important. We are not dealing with numbers alone. We are deciding how far government can reach, and how many lives it can improve.
That is why this power must be exercised with care, protected when necessary, and always directed toward what truly matters, delivering for the Filipino people.
Cuba’s next-gen Castros: A ‘fiefdom’ and an influencer
HAVANA—A new cast of Castros is emerging in Cuba: a grandson and a great-nephew are moving up the corridors of power, while another is an eccentric Instagram influencer declaring that Cubans want capitalism. US President Donald Trump’s administration is putting pressure on Cuba, demanding change and restricting oil exports to the country, but the Castro dynasty still holds sway on the communist-run island. Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, a colonel and grandson of 94-year-old former president Raul Castro, has reportedly taken part in recent talks with US officials. Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga, the son of Fidel and Raul Castro’s elder sister, was promoted to deputy prime minister in October. And then there’s the wildcard: Sandro Castro, a 34-year-old bar owner and grandson of late Cuban revolution leader Fidel Castro. With almost 160,000 followers on Instagram, he posts satirical videos about Cuba’s blackouts and other hardships. He caused a stir last week when he told CNN, with beer in hand in his Havana apartment, that President Miguel Diaz-Canel “is not doing a good job” and that “the majority of Cubans want capitalism, not communism.”
State media commentators have criticized him while Cuban exiles see him as the face of a privileged elite in a nation
where the average salary is 6,680 pesos
(around $14) per month.
In a recent video, the sunglass-wearing Castro interacts with a Trump impersonator, who tells him he wants to buy Cuba.
The sketch was posted the day DiazCanel confirmed talks between US and Cuban officials had occurred.
Lillian Guerra, a professor of Cuban history at the University of Florida, said Sandro Castro was part of a “well-staged and seductive” plot to convince the US public that the Castro regime is not a threat.
“The Cuban state has always been a spectacle state,” Guerra told AFP. “Half of their energy if not more goes to creating distractions and false narratives.”
Andres Pertierra, a historian at the University of Wisconsin, said he did not think that Sandro Castro was a distraction but that he should also not be taken “as seriously as someone who has a more senior role in the government.”
Contacted by AFP on Instagram, Sandro Castro referred an interview request to his “manager,” who did not reply. On CNN, he described himself as just “another citizen.” A serious contender?
While Sandro Castro courts online audiences, his older relatives occupy more prominent roles.
The presence of Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, who is his grandfather’s
EDITORIAL
Choices amid the chaos of war
IRAN has granted safe passage to ships bearing the Philippine flags passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also assured our leaders of the unimpeded delivery of fertilizer and oil to the Philippines.
Notwithstanding these diplomatic wins amid the Middle East crisis, the Philippines, being a small, fuelimporting country, saw a fresh round of oil price increases this week.
The Philippine government, while initially refusing—and wrongly so— to call the situation a crisis, has made some decisive moves to ease the war’s effects on Filipinos. Foremost, it has helped repatriate overseas Filipino workers trapped in sensitive places in the Middle East, bringing them to safety. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an executive order declaring a State of National Energy Emergency. EO 110 authorizes the Department of Energy to adopt measures to make the Philippines resilient amid the fuel crisis.
Already, the Energy Department has acquired supply from Russia, with deliveries from other countries being finalized or discussed. Funds to the tune of P20 billion have also been allotted for oil procurement.
But how desperate are we, really, in
ensuring the supply of oil and making its prices affordable for many? In recent days there has been talk of conducting joint oil explorations with China in the West Philippine Sea. In an interview with Bloomberg last month, President Marcos said Beijing and Manila could reach an agreement on joint cooperation , with “initial exchanges” already being made.
Is not good faith a requisite in such agreements?
But such ventures could be dangerous. China has been even more relentless in its aggressive acts in the WPS, flexing its military might, threatening our soldiers and fisherfolk, and blatantly ignoring international law. Specifically,
IN AN an uncertain future marked by geopolitical shocks and volatile fuel markets, the Philippines has chosen not to curse the darkness but to light a candle.
That candle now burns brighter with the discovery of new natural gas reserves in the Malampaya field—developments that carry far greater long-term significance than the headlines dominated by the Middle East conflict.
Buried beneath the noise of warinduced fuel price spikes was a major announcement by President Marcos Jr.: a second successful well in the Malampaya expansion project.
The Camago-3 well, explored and tested by Prime Energy under the leadership of Enrique Razon, delivered highly encouraging results.
This discovery came at a time when the global petroleum industry faced one of its darkest chapters, with supply disruptions looming and fuel prices reaching historic highs—prompting the Philippines to declare a state of energy emergency.
Yet even amid this uncertainty, there was reason for optimism.
Since taking over Malampaya operations, Prime Energy has introduced a distinctly Filipino-driven approach, emphasizing local expertise and technical capability.
What emerged was not just operational efficiency, but a demonstration of worldclass Filipino competence in a highly specialized industry.
More importantly, the company refused to accept the prevailing assumption that Malampaya was nearing depletion. Instead, it acted on the belief that untapped reserves still existed.
That belief quickly translated into action. Exploration efforts, long abandoned by earlier operators, resumed at an unprecedented pace.
The first breakthrough came with the Malampaya East-1 (MAE-1) well, discovered in early 2026.
Located just five kilometers from the main field, MAE-1 holds an estimated 98 billion cubic feet of natural gas, immediately strengthening the country’s energy outlook and extending the life of the facility.
It is the rapid rise of Perez-Oliva,
bodyguard, on the front row when DiazCanel disclosed the US-Cuba talks raised eyebrows as he holds no official government title. According to US media, the man known
traditional ally, the United States, could inject greater sensitivity, more care, and less ego into its decisions. It appears that the whims of one man is shaping the fate of the world. With the sophistication of the 21st century and the lessons we should have learned from previous tragedies, how are we still letting this happen?
Malampaya discoveries to reshape PH energy security
But it was the second discovery, Camago-3, that truly shifted the narrative.
At a time when global instability threatened not just energy supply but economic stability, Camago-3 offered a concrete source of reassurance. Despite receiving limited attention in mainstream media, its implications are profound.
According to the President, the well is already “delivering new strength” to Malampaya, ensuring a more secure and reliable domestic power supply. In quantitative terms, Camago-3 surpasses MAE-1 significantly. Its recoverable reserves are estimated to be at least two-and-a-half times larger, with output capacity reaching around 60 million cubic meters per day.
The two wells are expected to extend Malampaya’s operational life by at least six years: a critical buffer in a time of global uncertainty
Together, the two wells are expected to extend Malampaya’s operational life by at least six years: a critical buffer in a time of global uncertainty. Still, skepticism persists. Some energy policymakers continue to advocate for coal as a stopgap solution, while others push for imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the primary path forward. These positions, however, overlook a key economic reality: cost.
Electricity generated from Malampaya’s indigenous natural gas costs just over ₱4 per kilowatt-hour. In contrast, imported LNG exceeds ₱10 per kWh, or more than double the price. This disparity is not trivial; it directly affects household expenses, business
as “Raulito” and “El Cangrejo” (which means “The Crab”—his nickname for being born with six fingers on one hand) has acted as a messenger in the negotiations. But it is the rapid rise of Perez-Oliva, 55, that has fueled speculation about a possible leadership shuffle. “Perez-Oliva seems like a much more serious contender for a new generation who is linked to the family and probably has their trust, but at the same time has the benefit of not having the (Castro) surname,” Pertierra said. He was named foreign trade minister in 2024 and, a year later, deputy prime minister. Perez-Oliva was also elected to the National Assembly—a prerequisite to
operating costs, and overall economic competitiveness.
President Marcos Jr. underscored this point clearly: every unit of power generated from Malampaya instead of imported fuel translates into tangible savings for Filipino consumers. It is a direct rebuttal to claims that the country’s energy future depends solely on external sources. Beyond cost, there is also the issue of stability. Imported LNG is inherently vulnerable to global market fluctuations and geopolitical tensions—factors entirely beyond national control. Malampaya, by contrast, offers a degree of predictability and sovereignty. With new undersea pipelines planned to bring additional gas to shore, or the first such expansion in decades, the infrastructure is being laid for sustained domestic energy production. And the momentum does not end with Camago-3. A third well, Bagong Pag-asa, is already in the pipeline, signaling continued commitment to exploration and development. For Prime Energy, the rapid success of these projects, achieved within just a few years of renewed operations, represents top-tier performance by international industry standards.
But beyond corporate achievement, the broader significance lies in what these developments represent for the nation. In the face of crisis, the Philippines has demonstrated a capacity to act decisively, invest in its own capabilities, and reduce dependence on external forces that often dictate its economic fate. The Malampaya discoveries are not merely technical milestones; they are strategic assets that redefine the country’s energy trajectory.
At a time when fear and uncertainty could have dictated policy, the country instead chose initiative and belief—belief in its resources, its people, and its future. The result is clear: in the midst of darkness, the Philippines did not stand idle. It struck a match, lit a candle, and in doing so, illuminated a path toward energy security, economic resilience, and national self-reliance. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
becoming president. Last month, he appeared on US broadcaster NBC News to reveal government plans to allow Cubans living abroad to invest on the island. But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was not enough, insisting that both economic and political change are needed. Here to stay?
The emergence of the younger Castros amid US tensions raises questions about the future of Diaz-Canel, who succeeded Raul Castro in 2018.
Raul Castro remains an influential figure, with Diaz-Canel himself acknowledging that the “historical leader of the revolution” was guiding the US talks. AFP
Artemis astros survey
lunar surface on flyby
HOUSTON—The four astronauts carrying out NASA’s first lunar flyby in more than half-acentury were sending back detailed observations of the Moon after traveling further from Earth than any human before.
NASA’s mission control in Houston regained contact with the crew after they temporarily lost signal for some 40 minutes, as their spacecraft passed behind Earth’s natural satellite.
“It is so great to hear from Earth again,” said astronaut Christina Koch, as the crewmembers were once again able to speak with humans on their home planet.
“We will always choose Earth, we will always choose each other.”
Earlier the Artemis II team broke the distance record set by the 1970 Apollo 13 mission, which they were expected to surpass by 4,105 miles (6,606 kilometers) when they reached
the journey’s anticipated furthest distance from Earth—252,760 miles (406,778 kilometers).
It was one of the voyage’s most notable achievements yet.
Astronaut Jeremy Hansen said the moment was “to challenge this generation and the next, to make sure this record is not long-lived.”
The lunar flyby observation period will continue until approximately 9:20pm eastern (9:20am Manila time).
Soon astronauts will witness a solar eclipse, when the Sun will be behind the Moon.
The more than six-hour task of
observing and documenting the lunar surface brought human perspective to features of the Moon that we primarily know through photographs taken by robots.
Victor Glover detailed the “terminator”— the Moon’s boundary between night and day.
“Wow—I wish I had some more time to just sit here and describe what I’m seeing,” he said, before creating a vivid portrait for the scientists listening in from Earth.
“But the terminator right now is just fantastic. It is the most rugged that I’ve seen it from a lighting perspective.”
Kelsey Young, the lead scientist for the Artemis II mission, responded with elation. “Oh my gosh, that was an amazing picture you just painted,” she said.
“Those types of observations are things that humans are uniquely able to contribute, and you just really brought us along with you.” AFP
NATO
DC—President Donald Trump lashed
“Look, we went to NATO,” Trump recalled. “I didn’t ask very strongly, I just said, ‘Hey, if you want to help, great.’”
“’No, no, no we will not help,’” Trump said he was told, while not saying who he spoke to.
Trump went on to say that NATO members had “actually gone out of their way not to help.”
The alliance, Trump said, “is a paper tiger,” that Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s not afraid of.” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who Trump called “a great person,” is expected in Washington this week. On Wednesday he will hold talks with Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Alliance said Friday. The remarks mark the latest dust-up between Trump and the alliance.
Trump has made no secret of his desire to annex Greenland— controlled by NATO ally Denmark—which has been strongly resisted by the alliance.
Discussing his displeasure with NATO, Trump said: “It all began with -- if you want to know the truth—Greenland.”
“We want Greenland,” Trump said. “They don’t want to give it to us. And I said, ‘bye, bye.’” Trump also criticized other traditional non-NATO allies including South Korea, Australia, and Japan for not assisting with the Iran war. Trump praised gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates for their support during the conflict. AFP
Chilean leader touts ‘historic’ alliance with Milei
SANTIAGO—Chile’s hardline President Jose Antonio Kast on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time) touted his “historic” alliance with Argentina’s firebrand leader Javier Milei after talks in Buenos Aires between the two leaders of Latin America’s resurgent right.
Kast took office last month as Chile’s most right-wing leader in three decades, swept to power by voter anger over a surge in organized crime and illegal migration, His first foreign visit as president took him across the Andes to Argentina to meet with Milei, a close ally of US President Donald Trump.
Kast later described their talks, which focused on cooperation on tourism, trade, investment and mining, as “a historic moment of integration.”
Milei shared an X post from his libertarian party, La Libertad Avanza, which said the visit was proof that “the right is advancing in Latin America!!!” Kast and Milei have emerged as a counterweight to Brazil’s leftwing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, one of the few remaining left-wing leaders on the continent.
They had previously met after Kast’s election victory in December, posing together with a chainsaw—a symbol of the budget cuts implemented by Milei which Kast wants to emulate in Chile. Kast, who succeeded the left-wing Gabriel Boric, was elected on a promise to crack down on migration, which Chileans blame for a surge in violent crime in recent years.
On Monday, he said his administration would begin expelling irregular migrants “in the coming weeks and months.”
His visit to Buenos Aires comes days after a failed attempt to arrest elderly Chilean left-wing guerrilla Galvarino Apablaza in Argentina. Apablaza, who had political refugee status in Argentina from 2010 until it was revoked by the courts in February, is accused of participating in the 1991 assassination of Chilean right-wing senator Jaime Guzman.
In the past week, Argentine police have sought to arrest him but failed to locate him.
“This is someone who is seeking to evade justice,” Kast declared. AFP
LIKE THE ‘GAZA STRIP.’ View of a bus set on fire allegedly by drug traffickers during a police operation in central Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 18, 2026. Clashes between police and heavily armed criminal groups such as Comando Vermelho are common in the favelas, whose territories are under the control of these gangs. Buses passing near favela entrances are seized by criminals in retaliation and positioned across roads to block the advance of law enforcement forces. Sowing chaos in the city in this way is also a show of strength. AFP
Remulla vows to purge BFP of corruption
By Vince Lopez
DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito
Victor Remulla has vowed to dismantle what he described as an “organized criminal network” operating inside the agency as part of sweeping reforms to clean up the entire fire enforcement system.
“There is only one organized crime group in the entire Philippines; it’s inside the BFP (Bureau of Fire Prot4ection). Not all BFPs, but they are within BFP,” Remulla said during a press conference at the BFP national headquarters on Monday.
The DILG chief cited a “deeply entrenched system” spanning multiple levels within the bureau.
“From admission, to inspector, to firefighting, to procurement, they have only one role. The know their role, everyone knows what they are doing. I am going to put an end to this, It should be stopped,” he said, referring to what he termed “coordinated and systemic wrongdoing.”
The projected cleansing comes on the heels of the suspension of Metro Manila safety fire inspectors (SFIs) and the earlier filing of charges against former BFP chief Jesus Fernandez for alleged graft and corruption.
“I’ve already sued the Fire chief, but the fire inspectors still won’t stop. I’m fed up with them. They are out,” Remulla said, stressing that enforcement will not stop at leadership level.
Despite reforms, including the deployment of 902 body-worn cameras, Remulla revealed that violations persist, with at least 10 complaints already received against SFIs following the leadership shake-up.
Interpol red notice vs. Co sought
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Tuesday it is sending a follow-up letter to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) seeking a red notice against resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.
NBI director Melvin Matibag expressed optimism regarding Interpol’s response to this second communication, emphasizing that the decision to issue a
red notice lies with Interpol.
“The ball is in their hands,” Matibag said in Filipino. Interior and Local Government Sec-
retary Jonvic Remulla earlier indicated that the red notice might be issued either this week or the following week.
Co is believed to be currently in Portugal. The resigned congressman, allegedly at the epicenter of the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, has been declared a fugitive by the Sandiganbayan.
The initial NBI request for the red notice was submitted on Nov. 23, 2025, via the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime.
Co was one of the principal subjects
PRICE HIKE, AS USUAL. In a scene that’s becoming all too often, a gasoline pump attendant adjusts fuel rates at a filling station in Paco, Manila, with diesel having overtaken erstwhile leaders unleaded and premium by a mile. Norman Cruz
Households told to apply for Maynilad’s discount offer
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) has reminded its beneficiaries to apply for the Expanded Enhanced Lifeline Program (Expanded ELP) of West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad), to avail of discounted water rates and help ease their monthly expenses. The Expanded ELP is a social protection initiative of Maynilad that provides water bill
Consul assists Pinoy pilgrims in Jeddah
By Katrina Manubay
discounts to low-income households, including 4Ps beneficiaries, in its concession area covering the West Zone of Metro Manila and Cavite.
“The program aims to make water services more affordable and accessible, particularly for families facing economic challenges, including our program beneficiaries under 4Ps,” 4Ps national program manager Gemma Gabuya said.
Under the Expanded ELP, qualified 4Ps beneficiaries may receive up to a 52.30 percent discount on the Basic Charge in their water
THE Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah announced on Monday that it is assisting Filipino Umrah pilgrims affected by flight disruptions, as the April 18 departure deadline from Saudi Arabia approaches.
In a statement, the consulate reported that 170 pilgrims have sought guidance and support, noting that many have already left the Kingdom on their own accord by rebooking flights or arranging alternative travel.
“The Consulate staff have advised stranded pilgrims and their organizers on alternative routes, provided booking guidance, and extended limited emergency financial assistance to indigent pilgrims,” the statement read.
The consulate committed to supporting and guiding affected pilgrims within its capacities and resources.
bills for consumption of up to 10 cubic meters, and up to 46.25 percent discount for consumption between 11 to 20 cubic meters, based on rates effective as of January 1, 2026, and may be subject to adjustment in accordance with approved tariff charges.
To avail of the discount, the 4Ps beneficiaries are urged to apply by filling out the application form and submitting the necessary documents, including their latest water bill and 4Ps identification, at the nearest Maynilad office or the Maynilad Barangay Helpdesk, if available.
of an investigation initiated by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and was included in the list of former government officials charged before the Office of the Ombudsman.
He was chairman of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations during the 19th Congress of the Philippines, a significant role that involved overseeing the legislative process for the national budget. Despite the allegations, Co maintained his innocence and denied any wrongdoing.
IN BRIEF
Batangas police official sued for sexual abuse
A RANKING police official of the Calabarzon region is facing administrative complaint at the National Police filed by a policewoman who accused him of sexual abuse.
Meanwhile, Calabarzon police director Brig. Gen, Hansel Marantan said the respondent, whose name was not disclosed, has been suspended pending full investigation of the case
“The respondent, being a senior-ranking official, allegedly took advantage of his position of authority, raising serious concerns on abuse of power, workplace safety and professional conduct within the police organization,” the Napolcom said.
It gave assurance that the complaint will “undergo the proper administrative proceedings in accordance with existing laws and regulations.”
‘Airports had seamless operations during Lent’
THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Tuesday reported that operations at all airports under its jurisdiction were orderly during Holy Week, with Davao International Airport experiencing the highest traveler volume.
Despite a slight increase in passenger traffic beyond initial projections, airport operations remained efficient throughout the Holy Week travel period from March 28 to April 5. CAAP said.
CAAP-operated airports recorded a total of 564,890 passengers. Among these, Davao International Airport was the most trafficked, receiving 112,322 passengers. It was followed by Iloilo International Airport with 70,932 passengers, Bacolod-Silay Airport with 51,530 passengers, Puerto Princesa International Airport with 48,340 passengers, and Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport with 37,868 passengers.
The agency attributed the hassle-free operations during the Lenten season to close coordination among airport personnel, airline partners, and other government agencies, as well as the cooperation of the traveling public. Joel E. Zurbano
Magnitude 5.1 quake jolts Cebu, 6 injured
THE Bogo City government said at least six individuals were reported injured during a magnitude 5.1 earthquake that jolted Cebu on Monday afternoon.
The six sustained minor wounds due to glass splinters and were treated at the hospital, according to the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk and Management Office. No families were evacuated, officials said. Meanwhile, power outages were reported in Brgy. Cogon and Banban, while some areas briefly lost their water supply. Transportation operations were also interrupted. Rex Espiritu
breaks, a farmer guides his beast-friend for their daily routine of tilling the soil ahead of the anticipated rainy
when planting season takes over at summer’s end. Edd Castro
EXPO 2026. Amadeo, Cavite Mayor Jojo Domingo leads the ribbon-cutting signaling the formal opening of Amadeo Expo 2026 featuring indigenous food and non-food commodities that showcase the town’s rich cultural heritage. Dennis Abrina
Serapio prevails; Pilac turns back Abalos in golf playoff
LIPA City—Winter Serapio survived a nearcollapse under punishing heat and swirling winds, then delivered a moment of brilliance with a birdie on the final hole to secure the girls’ 7-10 division crown with an 82 at the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Junior PGT Championship here on Tuesday.
Serapio opened the final round in complete control, stringing together six steady pars that suggested a runaway victory. But the Mount Malarayat composite course struck back with a series of bogeys and two costly triple bogeys, erasing her six-stroke lead and putting challengers back in contention.
Laura Pablo seized the opportunity, birdieing No. 15 to pull even at 15-over, setting up a tense showdown on the par-5 closing hole with every shot carrying enormous pressure.
Serapio, however, remained composed, birdieing the final hole for the second straight day to card a pair of 41s for a 159 total. Her clutch performance underscored her resilience and poise under pressure.
Pablo, in her Junior Philippine Golf Tour debut, faltered on the last hole with a bogey, finishing with a 78 and a 161 total. Jehanne Mendoza matched Pablo’s 78 to share runner-up honors.
“I feel really happy and proud,” said
Yulo boosts Olympic hopes, bags double bronze in Cairo
By Randy M. Caluag
KARL Jahrel Eldrew Yulo, the younger brother of Olympic double-gold medalist Carlos Yulo, boosted his Olympic prospects after bagging two bronze medals at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series leg in Cairo, Egypt, proving his growing capability on the senior stage.
The 18-year-old Filipino secured his second podium finish in less than 24 hours, placing third in the men’s horizontal bar final with a score of 13.733.
The result followed his bronze-medal performance in the men’s floor exercise, where he scored 14.000 despite competing with an injured right ankle.
Ateneo
Chi na’s Li Hongyan topped the horizontal bar event with 14.000, while Cyprus’ Marios Georgiou claimed
Yulo’s back-to-back podium finishes highlight his steady rise in international competition and mirror his success at the junior level, where he also reached the podium in multiple events. His performance in Cairo came less than a month after he won gold in the floor exercise at the World Cup leg in Antalya, Turkey,
reinforcing his growing consistency on the global stage.
Competing against seasoned gymnasts, Yulo showed composure and vastly improved skills, particularly in the floor exercise final, where he pushed through pain to secure a podium finish.
“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng nagdasal at sumuporta,” Yulo said, thanking the Philippine Sports Commission, the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, and his coach, Kugimiya Munehiro.
His recent results bolster the Philippines’ long-term goal of fielding both Yulo brothers — Karl Eldrew and Carlos Yulo — at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Yulo acknowledged the challenges of competing at the senior level but remained focused on improving.
“Ibang-iba talaga ang laban pag nakatapak na sa senior level. Pero tuloy lang ang laban,” he said.
B2016 wins U10 crown in Bali 7s football tournament
THE Ateneo Varsity Born 2016 team won the Division Championship in the U10 agegroup at the prestigious Bali 7s Football Tournament in Bali, Indonesia.
The team competed against teams from across the globe, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, India and the Netherlands. The Eaglets showcased not only their skill and discipline, but also their heart and character.
After several setbacks in the group stages, including injuries, sickness and ailing stomachs for some key players, the Eaglets were placed in a precarious position, with dim hopes of securing silverware; however, the team rose to the occasion and capped off their Cinderella story. The advent of Easter during the knockout stages invigorated the boys as they secured victories over four Indonesian teams. In the championship match, the Eaglets faced a tough Australian team almost twice their size.
After a long back-and-forth with the Aussies with almost equal possession between the teams, with a few minutes left in the game, Arby Soller drew a foul inside the penalty box. Diego Tagarda, who was sidelined be-
cause of an injury brought about by a tackle from an opposing player from game 2, then finished the play with a smooth penalty shot to the left corner of the goal to complete his 5th international goal of the tournament.
Mayweather’s greatest weapon can’t defend him now
The remaining minutes saw the Eaglets stave off relentless attacks by the Aussies until the final whistle blew with the Eaglets winning 1-0.
Incidentally, the U10 Championship match took place simultaneously with the U16 Women’s Division Championship where a Philippine team also won and the kababayans celebrated together.
Beyond the win, this triumph represents a testament to the boys’ hard work, the guidance of their coaches, and the unwavering support of their families. Most importantly, it reflects the Ateneo spirit: teamwork, and playing with honor.
The team was coached by Mark Maravilla and assisted by B2013 varsity football Captain Miguel Tagarda who is a Grade 6 student of Ateneo.
The team was composed of Sandro Abadilla , Knox Angeles , Lucas Bulalacao, Luc Lopez, Marco Macaraig, Paco Molina , Andres Prieto, Calvin San Diego, Arby Soller and Diego Tagarda, and Jacob Turla.
tured as a professional fight. That means there is no protective layer, no softened stakes, and no escape clause for risk. If it happens, it counts. If he loses, it is permanent.
9-year-old Serapio, who reached the 18th in two and two-putted for birdie. “It was much tougher today. I got very nervous, so I just tried to stay focused and prayed to Jesus to help me play well.”
Meanwhile, the girls’ 11-14 division came down to a sudden-death playoff between Quincy Pilac and Maurysse Abalos after both finished at 160.
Abalos bogeyed the final hole in regulation to post an 81, while Pilac calmly sank a par to close with a 79 and force the playoff. Returning to No. 1, Pilac repeated her heroics with another clutch par, while Abalos faltered with a bogey.
In a dramatic reversal of fortunes, Pilac emerged victorious, her steady play under pressure ultimately securing the title.
In the boys’ youngest division, Kenzo Tan completed a wire-to-wire triumph, fending off a late charge from Alexian Ching with a 78, including a birdie on the final hole, for a 158 total.
Ching, who eagled the par-5
Guiao
is special guest of SBP-Rizal general assembly
MULTI-TITLED PBA coach and former national team mentor Yeng Guiao will be the special guest when the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas-Region 4A Rizal holds its general assembly at the Case Room of STI’s Head Office in Ortigas Extension, Cainta. The event will be held on Sunday, April 12, from 3 to 6 p.m. BJ Manalo, provincial director of SBPRizal, confirmed this latest development after securing approval from STI management headed by its president Peter K. Fernandez, on the use of its facilities in the gathering of different basketball stakeholders composed of board of directors, the group’s executive team, coaches, referees and supporters from across the Rizal province.
Guiao, who also lives in the Rizal area in Valley Golf, Cainta, will be the special guest. Already an accomplished coach, winning seven championships in three different teams in the PBA, Guiao’s impact goes beyond the game of basketball. Just recently, he was feted with the Presidential Award by the Philippine Sportswriters Association for his role in Supreme Court’s landmark decision expected to reshape the future of national sports development.
In between his work as a bench tactician of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Guiao also served as Representative of the First District of Pampanga and in 2016, he was the only member of the House of Representatives who fought for the PSC Law, a mandate that orders the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to remit 5% of its total annual gross to the government sports agency, for funding of its athletes’ training, exposure, events and incentives to the medalists in major competitions.
THERE is a widening contradiction between what Floyd Mayweather Jr. is saying in public and what appears to already be legally binding behind the scenes, and that contradiction is now evolving from promotional noise into a serious contractual dispute. The situation surrounding his planned rematch against Manny Pacquiao on September 19 has moved far beyond hype and into the stricter territory of agreements, obligations, and enforceable commitments. A report from ESPN cited Jas Mathur, the CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions, as insisting that the bout is a professionally sanctioned encounter, not an exhibition. That distinction is not merely cosmetic. It determines whether the event is entertainment or a binding professional contest with legal consequences. Mayweather, however, has publicly referred to the fight as an exhibition and has questioned key details such as the venue at the Sphere in Las Vegas. That is where the fracture begins. Once two parties publicly describe the same signed agreement in opposing terms, one of them is no longer standing on solid contractual ground. And in boxing, the contract is the final word. The aforementioned
altering the terms unilaterally is not negotiation. It is a potential breach of contract. To understand the gravity of this, one must understand how Mayweather built his career. He is widely recognized not only as a precise and minimal-but-accurate hitter, but also as one of the most defensively intelligent pugilists in boxing history. His system relies on anticipation, timing, and control. He uses his shoulder roll, high guard, and elbow block to deflect and neutralize punches before they land cleanly. It is a style built on eliminating damage rather than absorbing it.
That defensive mastery defined his undefeated legacy. It also shaped his postretirement strategy. Mayweather has long preferred exhibitions because they preserve his health, protect his record, and still generate massive financial returns. They offer flexibility without consequence. But this is not an exhibition. This is struc-
That is the core tension. Mayweather appears to want the financial reward of a marquee matchup without fully accepting the competitive risk attached to it. But contracts do not adjust to preference after signatures and payments have already been exchanged.
Pacquiao’s position has remained firm. He wants a legitimate professional contest, not a circus, especially after their 2015 showdown, which remains one of the richest fights in boxing history.
The situation is further complicated by the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including Netflix. This is no longer a private arrangement between two fighters. It is a commercial ecosystem involving promoters, broadcasters, and sponsors. When one part shifts, the entire structure is affected.
At its core, this is no longer a question of interpretation. It is a question of enforcement. Signed documents, exchanged money, and agreed terms outweigh public statements, no
matter how confidently they are delivered. There are also growing rumors of financial pressure surrounding Mayweather, which, whether confirmed or not, intensifies scrutiny on every decision he makes. In elite boxing commerce, perception often carries as much force as fact. And so the irony stands fully exposed. A boxer who built his legacy on defensive brilliance, on reading danger before it lands and neutralizing it with precision, now faces a situation where none of those instincts apply. His shoulder roll cannot deflect a clause. His high guard cannot block a signature. His trademark pull counter cannot smother a breach of contract.
Mayweather has spent a lifetime avoiding clean shots, controlling distance, and dictating exchanges on his terms. But this time, there is no opponent to outthink and no punch to evade.
(For comments or questions, reach the author at nissi.icasiano@gmail.com or visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ nissi.icasiano.)
Winter Serapio (left) secures the girls’ 7-10 division crown with an 82 at the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Junior PGT Championship on Tuesday, while Quincy Pilac captures the girls’ 11-14 division crown after winning a sudden-death playoff.
Members of the Ateneo Varsity Born 2016 team display their championship trophy.
BUSINESS
IN BRIEF
DOE boosts renewables amid fuel price hikes
THE Department of Energy is accelerat-
Energy
“Our response is two-pronged: we are managing immediate risks while accelerating long-term structural reforms,” Garin said.
“Renewable energy development is central to that strategy: first as a long-term transition priority, as well as a practical way to reduce the country’s exposure to imported fuels impacted by the Middle East conflict,” she said. Alena Mae S. Flores Office sector remains resilient, says Leechiu THE office sector is emerging as the lone bright spot in the Philippine property market amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, even as residential and hospitality segments face mounting headwinds.
Leechiu Property Consultants founder David Leechiu said Tuesday in a press briefing that inflationary pressures beginning in March and April are expected to affect the performance of most property segments.
“The second quarter will be very tough, possibly until third quarter,” Leechiu said, noting that the current economic environment could cause massive disruption.
Among the sectors in the industry, Leechiu said the office sector will be the least affected because global economic volatility could translate to more jobs being transferred to the Philippines.
Leechiu Property Consultants director Mikko Barranda said office demand in the first quarter of the year fell 22 percent to 234,000 square meters FROM the same quarter last year. However, some 227,000 square meters of office demand, largely driven by the business process outsourcing sector, are in the pipeline and could be completed in the next couple of months. Jenniffer B. Austria
Coins.ph redefines corporate treasury
DIGITAL asset leader Coins.ph said it has evolved into a critical liquidity layer for institutional entities. Supported by regulatory clarity from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the company helps local firms bypass traditional wires that typically carry a 6-percent to 8-percent revenue drag.
“The first wave of crypto was defined by retail speculation, but the second wave is defined by utility,” Coins.ph chief executive Wei Zhou said.
“Stablecoins are the most efficient settlement rails ever built for global commerce. For a corporate treasurer, the ability to move funds at 3 a.m. on a Sunday with T+0 finality isn’t a luxury; it’s a competitive necessity,”
offering a 2 basis points spread on G10 pairs, we are leveraging our regulated agility to deliver institutional-grade cost efficiency,” Zhou said.
Inflation in March
Inflation in February
Inflation in first quarter
March inflation soared to 4.1%
By Thony Rose Lesaca
PHILIPPINE headline inflation surged to 4.1 percent in March 2026 from 2.4 percent in February as transport and food costs rose on the back of record fuel prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.
The latest figure brought the average inflation rate in the first quarter to 2.8 percent. The March reading is higher than the 1.8 percent rate recorded in the same month last year. It marked the highest inflation rate since the consumer price index rose 4.4 percent in July 2024.
“The government stands ready to address emerging inflation pressures through strategic, well-targeted, and
time-bound interventions, particularly in fuel, transport, and food,” said Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
The upward trend was primarily fueled by the transport index, which jumped to a 9.9 percent annual increase after seeing a 0.3 percent decrease in February.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages
4-STAR RATING. Best Western Plus Metro Clark is awarded a 4-Star Hotel rating by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in its journey of delivering elevated hospitality experiences in Central Luzon. Attending the awarding ceremony on March 27, 2026 at the Premier Ballroom of Best Western Plus Metro Clark are (from left) DOT-Region 3 supervising tourism operations officer Maan Santos-Banawa, Best Western Hotels area development office chief operating offcer Wilhelm Bolton, Savers
P6.43t in ‘Green Lane’ projects moving to implementation
By Othel V. Campos
PHILIPPINE strategic investment projects
valued at P6.43 trillion are advancing from approval to implementation under a government program to fast-track permits, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Tuesday.
Data from the DTI Board of Investments (BOI) showed that 244 projects secured “Green Lane” certification as of March 2026. The program, launched in February 2023, targets priority sectors including renewable energy, digital infrastructure, water, food security and public-private partnership infrastructure.
While the majority of the pipeline remains in early stages, the BOI reported that 171 projects worth P5.79 trillion are in pre-development.
Officials attributed this to the scale and complexity of large-scale investments that require extensive coordination among various government agencies.
Progress is becoming visible in later stages of the investment cycle, with 46 projects worth P359.64 billion currently under construction and 8 projects valued at P6.99 billion in pre-operation.
Another 19 projects worth P266.85 billion are already operational, primarily in the food security, digital infrastructure and renewable energy sectors.
DTI Secretary and BOI chair Ma. Cristina Roque said accelerating these projects is critical to addressing domestic
energy constraints.
“Many of the projects under the Green Lane are in renewable energy and related infrastructure. Accelerating their implementation is important to help address energy supply requirements, stabilize costs and support continued economic activity,” Roque said. The secretary added that improving
To All Stockholders:
also pushed the headline rate higher with a 3.0 percent increase from 1.8 percent the previous month.
Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy items, rose to 3.2 percent in March from 2.9 percent in February. Non-food inflation rose to 4.9 percent from 2.8 percent in March 2026, with private transport inflation accelerating to 31.3 percent from -3.1 percent amid a surge in fuel prices.
Food inflation picked up to 2.8 percent from 1.6 percent as rice inflation rose to 3.6 percent after 14 months of deflation, alongside higher inflation in vegetables and fruits.
Food inflation was led by higher prices for corn, which hit 12.4 percent and vegetables at 6.9 percent. Some relief was seen in meat and sugar
prices, which continued to show annual declines of 3.2 percent and 0.7 percent respectively.
National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the uptrend in overall inflation was influenced by the annual increment of the transport index. Within the food sector, rice prices were a major factor, recording a 3.6 percent annual increase in March following a 3.4 percent decrease in February.
Other commodity groups seeing faster price growth included housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 4.5 percent; restaurants and accommodation services at 5.0 percent; and alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 3.7 percent. Smaller increases were also noted in health, recreation, clothing and personal care services.
February budget deficit eased as revenue collection surged 43.5%
THE national government’s budget deficit slightly narrowed to P171.2 billion in February 2026 as the 43.52-percent surge in revenues fueled by early dividend remittances offset higher state spending, the Bureau of the Treasury said Tuesday.
The fiscal gap for the month was lower than P171.4 billion deficit seen in the same period last year. The twomonth fiscal gap also narrowed by 94.35 percent to P5.8 billion from the P103.1-billion shortfall recorded in the first two months of 2025.
Department of Finance Secretary Frederick Go said the country’s reduced fiscal deficit in February provides a safety net, “giving us the resources to support the economy, especially during this time of uncertainty.” Go said in a statement the
coordination across agencies and streamlining permitting remain top priorities for the government.
The DTI said the transition of projects into the construction and operational phases indicates that previous investment commitments are now generating actual economic activity, job creation and the delivery of essential services.
As disclosed, the Board of Directors of ASIAN TERMINALS, INC. (ATI or the Company) approved the postponement of the Company’s 2026 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting, from the fourth Thursday of April as provided in the Company’s By-laws, to a later date which shall be determined by the Board of Directors and disclosed in due course, in order to provide the Company with sufficient time to fully comply with various regulatory requirements.
08 April 2026.
ASIAN TERMINALS, INC.
narrowed deficit provides a fiscal buffer that allows the government more space to provide timely, targeted and managed subsidies to those who are most affected by the Middle East conflict. Government receipts for February rose 43.52 percent to P361.3 billion, led by non-tax revenues. The Treasury attributed the improvement to the “earlier-than-usual remittance of 2025-earned dividends” during the month. Non-tax collections for the month surged to P111.5 billion from P17.4 billion a year ago. The Bureau of Internal Revenue collected P173.2 billion in February, up 8.51 percent from P159.7 billion in 2025. It said the steady improvement resulted from ongoing measures to boost taxpayer compliance nationwide. Thony Rose Lesaca
the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (MACCII), is conducted every third Saturday of the month.
PH stocks close flat as March inflation breaches target
LOCAL shares closed nearly flat
Tuesday as the March inflation rate exceeded the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ target band of 2 percent to 4 percent.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index inched up 9.54 points, or 0.16 percent, to close at 5,957.87, while the broader all shares index rose 13.17 points, or 0.40 percent, to 3,350.16.
The peso depreciated to 60.33 to the U.S. dollar on Tuesday from 60.05 on Monday.
Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp., said the PSEi ended higher despite a higher-than-expected inflation rate. March inflation soared to 4.1 percent as record fuel prices pushed food and transport costs higher.
Limlingan said the inflation data and a nearing deadline set by the U.S. president regarding Iran caused investors to stay on the sidelines and remain cautious.
“Sentiment remained fragile as renewed tensions in Iran could prolong the oil crisis and further elevate inflation risks,” Limlingan said.
Mining and oil, holding firms, financials, and services tracked market gains. Conversely, property dropped 0.33 percent, while industrials slipped 0.13 percent.
Value turnover was tepid at P5.21 billion.
The market closed with 120 gainers versus 76 decliners, while 65 stocks remained unchanged. Foreign investors were net sellers, with outflows at P992 million.
Jenniffer B. Austria
Mead Johnson moves operations to Megaworld’s Uptown Bonifacio
By Jenniffer B. Austria
Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday that MJNP is moving to the newly completed Uptown Eastgate as it consolidates its local operations with Reckitt Philippines. Reckitt is a global company behind health, hygiene and nutrition brands.
“Uptown Bonifacio continues to attract the world’s biggest companies because it offers a complete
ecosystem for success—modern office developments complemented by a vibrant commercial district and top-notch residential condominium towers,” said Francis Roxas, head of Megaworld Global Offices.
“Our developments meet the highest international standards for workspace, connectivity and sustainability, making it an ideal location for multi-
national headquarters and shared services operations,” he said.
The 31-story, LEED Gold-certified Uptown Eastgate is the largest single office development for lease in Bonifacio Global City. The property offers a total gross leasable area of 100,000 square meters, including a single-floor plate of up to 5,000 square meters.
The tower features modern facilities, sustainable design and smart building systems tailored for multinational firms and shared services centers.
With this move, Mead Johnson joins other Fortune 500 and leading US companies that have chosen Uptown Bonifacio as their center of operations, including JPMorgan Chase, Google, Tesla and Coca-Cola. Currently, Uptown Bonifacio hosts
more than 30 local and multinational companies that employ over 60,000 professionals across seven office towers. Within Bonifacio Global City, Megaworld remains the largest office landlord and developer, managing nearly 900,000 square meters of office space, according to property consultancy firm CBRE Philippines. In 2025, Megaworld’s office leasing revenues went up 11 percent to P14.9 billion, driven by contributions from new assets, rental escalations, renewals and continued demand from business process outsourcing firms and multinational companies within its integrated townships. Megaworld also ended 2025 as the country’s top office lessor, with 162,000 square meters of office transactions, according to CBRE.
meters. Under the plan, Puregold will focus its store expansion in provincial areas, particularly in second- to fourthclass municipalities. Puremart stores will continue to be geared toward dense
communities. Meanwhile, another P2.8 billion has been set aside to construct three S&R Membership Shopping centers and 10 S&R quick-service restaurants.
Puregold will also spend P3 billion for maintenance capital expenditures, solar projects, and IT upgrades, while P800 million will go toward logistics.
Despite current economic developments, the grocery chain operator is projecting consolidated revenues to grow 5 percent to 7 percent this year. Puregold and S&R stores are expected to maintain double-digit growth in gross profit margins.
Puregold, owned by businessman Lucio Co, ended 2025 with 784 stores comprising 680 Puregold stores, 33 S&R stores, and 71 S&R quick-service restaurants. In 2025, the company registered a consolidated net income of P11.3 billion, up 8.8 percent and driven by strong topline growth complemented by improvement in gross margins. Consolidated revenues reached P242.45 billion for 2025, up 10.6 percent from P219.17 billion in 2024. Jenniffer B. Austria
By Darwin G. Amojelar
MACROASIA Corp. said it posted a 17 percent increase in consolidated net income to P1.61 billion in 2025, driven by a steady recovery in the aviation sector and strong contributions from its associate companies.
The company’s consolidated revenues grew 6 percent to P9.96 billion, supported by higher volumes across the group’s core aviation support services and food-related businesses. Growth was driven primarily by in-flight catering, ground handling and aviation services as airline traffic continued to normalize.
Operating income increased 8 percent to P1.82 billion, reflecting improved operating leverage despite higher direct costs and operating expenses associated with manpower, fuel-related inputs and ongoing capacity expansion initiatives.
A key earnings driver remained the company’s share in net earnings of associates, which more than doubled to P1.47 billion, highlighting the strength of its strategic investments in aviation and related sectors. MacroAsia continued to invest in long-term growth, with capital expenditures reaching P420 million in 2025, primarily allocated to facility expansion, fleet and equipment upgrades, and service capability enhancements.
The company said it remains cautiously optimistic about the continued recovery of aviation demand, supported by improving passenger traffic trends and expansion opportunities in both aviation and non-aviation segments.
MPH AWARDS. Metro Pacific Health (MPH) took the spotlight at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026 in Singapore after winning nine major awards. It emerged as the biggest winner, earning honors across multiple categories and showcasing how its hospitals work together to deliver better care and help more Filipinos live healthier lives.
Tarlac pharma zone secures
P500-m project
By Othel V. Campos
THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it registered a P500-million wellness manufacturing project by Goodfield International Trading Corp. as part of the country’s first pharmaceutical economic zone.
PEZA director-general Tereso Panga and Goodfield president Melissa YeungYap signed the agreement on March 30, 2026.
The investment is expected to generate 290 jobs and strengthen the local wellness manufacturing ecosystem in Tarlac province.
Goodfield will operate at the Victoria Industrial Park in Barangay Baculong, Victoria, Tarlac. The facility will produce essential oils, soaps, candles, diffuser oils and related wellness products. The project aligns with the “Tatak Pinoy” initiative, which aims to empower local manufacturers and lower the cost of essential goods.
“This registration reflects our drive to support Tatak Pinoy industries - empowering local manufacturers, lowering the cost of medicine, uplifting communities and strengthening the Philippines’ position in the global value chain,” Panga said.
The company has teamed up with Tarlac State University and Tarlac Agricultural University to advance research and collaborate with local farmers and indigenous communities. This is part of the Pharmazone program, a collaboration between PEZA and the Food and Drug Administration to create an enabling environment for pharmaceutical and wellness enterprises.
“We in PEZA are determined to continue promoting Pharmazones in line with the vision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of generating affordable medicines of all Filipinos as well as making the Philippines a hub for medical product manufacturing in the region,” Panga said.
Higher ethanol blend to ease high fuel costs—solon
A LAWMAKER urged the government to increase the country’s ethanol blend requirement to 15 percent from 10 percent to help cushion rising fuel prices and support the local sugar industry.
Negros Occidental 5th District Rep.
Emilio Bernardino Yulo said raising the blend from E10 to E15 would temper gasoline prices, mitigate potential fuel supply constraints and expand demand for domestically produced bioethanol derived from molasses. The proposal follows the mandate set by the Biofuels Act of 2006.
“Increasing the ethanol blend from E10 to E15 can create stronger domestic demand for sugarcane-based ethanol and provide a needed market for sugar byproducts at a time when our farmers are under tremendous pressure and the general public is reeling from rising prices,” Yulo said. The move comes amid continued increases in fuel prices led by geopolitical tensions and volatility in global oil markets, which have added pressure on consumers and the broader economy.
Yulo said the proposed shift would spike the utilization of molasses, a byproduct of sugar production used to manufacture renewable fuel blended with petroleum products.
The House Committee on Agriculture has begun reviewing a sharp decline in sugar millgate prices. Prices range from P2,000 to P2,100 per 50-kilogram bag, which is well below the estimated production cost of about P2,500. This drop has particularly affected producers in Negros Occidental.
Data from a 2025 report by the US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service showed that Philippine bioethanol is primarily produced from sugarcane. Nearly 80 percent of the country’s molasses supply is already utilized for ethanol production.
As of March 2025, the country had 14 accredited bioethanol plants with a combined installed capacity of 508 million liters annually, although effective output was estimated at only about 396 million liters.
Yulo proposed providing incentives to expand production of fuel-grade ethanol and allowing ethanol imports to augment supply as long as these do not displace locally produced molasses. Othel V. Campos
submission of proxies or instruments authorizing attorneys-in-fact to act for and on behalf of a stockholder is April 24, 2026 (05:00pm).
VOTES MAY BE CAST (a) THROUGH THE SUBMISSION OF VOTING BALLOTS/VOTING PROXIES
ON OR BEFORE 05:00 P.M. on April 24, 2026; or (b) THROUGH THE ONLINE VOTING PORTAL ON OR BEFORE 10:00 A.M. on MAY 4, 2026. Stockholders as of the Record Date, or their respective proxies, who desire to vote on any of the matters to be presented for stockholders’ approval during the meeting must submit their voting proxies on or before April 24, 2026 (at 05:00pm), or must register to participate in the meeting by sending an e-mail to chp.corporatesec@chp.com.ph on or before April 24, 2026 (at 05:00 pm). For your convenience, a sample Voting Ballot/Voting Proxy will be attached to the Information Statement (SEC Form 20IS) for the ASM. Stockholders whose shareholdings are lodged with the Philippine Central Depository are reminded to secure a certification of your shareholdings from your respective stockbrokers.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINATION OF THE MEETING QUORUM, only Eligible Stockholders who have either registered for the meeting on or before April 24, 2026 (05:00pm) or submitted their voting ballot on or before April 24, 2026 (05:00pm) will be considered in the computation of stockholders’ attendance.
The Procedure for Participating in the Meeting Through Remote Communication and Voting are set forth in Appendix 1 of this Notice. An explanation of agenda items for stockholders’ approval is provided in Appendix 2 of this Notice.
WE ARE NOT SOLICITING YOUR PROXY.
By registering to participate in the ASM, a stockholder or a proxy or representation of the stockholder agrees that the Company and its service providers will process their sensitive personal information necessary to verify their identity and authority. Makati City, Philippines.
NOEL A. LAMAN Corporate Secretary
For more information regarding the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, please contact the Corporation’s Investor Relations Director, Mr. Pierre Co, at chp.ir@chp.com.ph. APPENDIX 1 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
PROCEDURE FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETING THROUGH REMOTE COMMUNICATION AND VOTING
The conduct of the annual stockholders’ meeting will be streamed live, and stockholders may attend, and participate at the annual meeting by remote communication by following the instructions below:
1. Starting April 13, 2026 stockholders who intend to participate remotely should notify the Corporation by sending an email to chp.corporatesec@chp.com.ph.
2. An email confirmation and further instructions for the registration and voting will be provided to the stockholders. Last day of registration is 05:00 pm on April 24, 2026.
3. A link will be sent by email to stockholders who will indicate their intention to participate at the annual meeting through remote communication. The stockholders
SPOTLIGHT
Taking it slow around Hundred Islands
By Jasper Valdez
WHAT I liked most about our recent Hundred Islands trip was that it did not feel like we were trying to conquer a destination. My friends and I were out the whole day, moving from one island to another, but the experience never turned into that familiar scramble where everyone is too busy keeping up with the itinerary to actually enjoy where they are.
That may sound like a small thing, but it changed a lot. After all, Hundred Islands is one of those places that can easily become a speed run. You take the photo, get back on the boat, move to the next stop, then realize later that the day was impressive on paper but blurry in memory.
Because Como Laya, a boutique stay in Alaminos that hosted our group just a few minutes away from the port, arranged the tour, the day felt more put-together from the start. The property itself sits close enough to the jump-off point that getting in and out of the islands felt straightforward. We were not dealing with the small stresses that can eat into a trip, like figuring out timing, meals, or how to move from one stop to the next. That gave us more room to actually take in where we were instead
of just trying to keep up with the schedule.
We felt that right away when our first stop brought us somewhere quieter than expected. At Pilgrimage Island, the morning opened on a reflective note as we made our way to the Philippines’ version of Christ the Redeemer.
From there, we moved through the Hundred Islands Bonsai Garden, where miniature versions of local flora lined the paths, and a koi pond drew most of our attention. We lingered a bit longer than expected, watching the fish circle and drift, before gearing up for our next stop. The next stop pulled us in a completely different direction. At Governor’s Island, we had to hike for about 10 minutes to reach the zipline at the island’s highest point. The climb felt longer under the heat but was worth it once we saw the view. From there, we lined up for the 540-meter ride that cuts across to Virgin Island, watching one person after another disappear over the water, screaming their lungs out, before it was finally our turn.
At Marcos Island, Imelda Cave drew us straight to the edge for cliff jumping. One by one, we took our turns, pausing just long enough to look down before committing to the drop. As we hit the water, bats moved overhead, cutting across the cave as we surfaced.
Honoring lives devoted to serving others
JCI Manila, in partnership with the AY Foundation, officially launched the 43rd St. Teresa of Calcutta Awards (STCA) on March 26, 2026, at Hexagon Lounge, opening the nationwide search for Filipinos whose dedication and selfless service are transforming lives in some of the country’s most underserved communities. Now in its 43rd year, the STCA is one of the nation’s most prestigious humanitarian recognitions, honoring individuals who embody compassion in action. Inspired by the enduring legacy of Mother Teresa, the award celebrates those who serve not for recognition but out of a genuine commitment to uplift others.
A highlight of this year’s launch was the formalization of the renewed partnership between JCI Manila and the AY Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Yuchengco Group of Companies, through a Memorandum of Agreement. The collaboration strengthens a shared vision to support grassroots changemakers whose quiet yet powerful work uplifts ordinary Filipinos, often in remote rural areas.
“One of the pillars of STCA is Lead Beyond the Next Generation,” a JCI Manila spokesperson said. “The awardees are not public figures but everyday heroes whose dedication inspires the next generation to continue the legacy of service.”
The awards welcome nominations for individuals whose lives are defined by selfless service. These may include educators serving underserved or remote communities, healthcare workers supporting vulnerable populations, and others dedicating their lives to humanitarian causes. The STCA seeks individuals whose consistent and meaningful contributions often go unnoticed, but whose impact on communities is undeniable.
Since its inception, the STCA has affirmed that acts of compassion remain a powerful force for nation-building. By honoring Filipinos who quietly transform lives, JCI Manila and the AY Foundation hope to inspire more citizens, particularly the youth, to take part in creating lasting social change. Nominees must have dedicated at least 25 years to serving the less fortunate in the Philippines, demonstrate humility and selflessness, live with integrity and simplicity, and reflect the values of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Self-nominations are not accepted.
The public is invited to participate in this nationwide search for modern-day heroes. Nominations may be submitted by mail, in person, or via email to the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Award Committee, with the deadline set for July 24, 2026. Bernadette Araño
quieter
We reached Children’s Island just in time for lunch.
Como Laya had already set up a small cottage for us, and after a full morning of moving between islands, everyone settled in quickly without much discussion.
At the center was a bilao loaded with fresh vegetables, grilled pork, fried bangus, crabs and shrimp, and authentic Alaminos longganisa, surrounded by fried sides and a variety of dipping sauces. Plates were passed around, conversations picked up again, and the break stretched just enough for us to recover before heading out.
The afternoon moved through a few final stops. At Cathedral Island, the Virgin Mary stood against a backdrop of stalactites, set slightly apart from the rest of the route. We stayed there briefly before heading to Old Scout Island, where we slipped into the water for snorkeling and drifted over reefs where fish moved in and out around us.
We finished the day at Lucap Park, walking past rows of souvenir stalls and food stands as people came and went around us. We slowed down a bit here, checking a few items, picking up what caught our attention, and letting the day taper off before heading out. By the end, it felt like we had gotten exactly what we came for. We got the views, the food, the water, and the rush of it all, but there was still room to take everything in, and that made all the difference.
BACOLOD CITY - Access to essential healthcare moves closer to communities as SM Foundation turns over two upgraded Barangay Health Stations serving nearly 27,000 residents across multiple urban barangays. The newly improved facilities, Barangay Mabini Health Station and ETCS Barangay Health Station, are part of SM Foundation’s growing network of community health facilities.
Renovations designed to improve service delivery and patient experience include new LED lighting, modern appliances, and more comfortable, patientcentered furnishings.
In Mabini Health Station(Brg ys.22,24,25,26,28,29,37,38) as well as the ETCS Health Station (Brgys. 13,14,15,16,34,35,36), fully air-conditioned facilities include a pharmacy equipped with a refrigerator to store vaccines & other medicines, consultation room, pre-natal room, breast feeding room, reception cum admission room, a lounge for seniors & a playroom for children. Basic equipment included Hamilton beds for pregnant women, weighing scales, stethoscopes & bp monitoring machines. The Health
Beating the heat, one cup at a time
By Bernadette Araño
AS the Philippines enters the peak of the dry season, soaring temperatures are once again reshaping daily life—and livelihoods—across communities. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recently placed several areas under danger and extreme caution heat index levels, warning of possible heat cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke. In a report shared recently, Cotabato City was forecast reaching 42°C heat index, one of the highest recorded levels during
the Holy Week period, while dozens of other areas nationwidewere also expected to experience dangerously high temperatures. With the heat intensifying, sidewalks, street corners, and neighborhood stores are responding in a familiar yet significant way—the return of halo-halo stalls and other small summer businesses. Across communities, improvised tables filled with colorful ingredients—gulaman, nata de coco, beans, and shaved ice—are becoming a common sight. Plastic cups stacked beside containers of evaporated milk signal a seasonal opportunity
embraced by many households. For residents, the rising heat brings discomfort; for small vendors, it brings demand. Halo-halo, ice scramble, and other cold refreshments have become quick relief for students, commuters, and workers seeking a break from the scorching sun. With prices kept affordable, often ranging from ₱20 to ₱50, these refreshments remain accessible while allowing sellers to earn daily income. The low startup cost makes the business attractive, particularly for stay-at-home parents, working students, and informal workers looking for additional earnings
By Lyschelle Joy Armijo
FOR some commuters, the journey home did not end with the holiday rush. By waiting a little longer, they found less crowded buses, shorter lines, and a more comfortable trip back to daily life. Several commuters did not immediately return to their homes after the Holy Week, resulting in lighter passenger volume at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on April 7, 2026. Compared to the usual surge of travelers during the peak of the holiday, terminal activity appeared more manageable as families gradually made their way back to their respective provinces and cities. Sunday, April 5, 2026, was considered the peak travel period for returning passengers, when thousands typically flocked to transport terminals to resume work and school after the long break. During that time, buses were often filled to capacity, forcing many passengers to endure crowded conditions and long waiting times. However, by Tuesday, the flow of commuters had noticeably eased, providing a more comfortable travel experience for those who chose to return later. Among the passengers was Reinalyn Regier, a mother traveling with her children after spending the holiday in Cavite. She shared that their return trip was more convenient compared to their journey at the start of their vacation.
“Maluwag ngayon kasi sa bus, kaya hindi ko na kailangang ikalong palagi yung bunso kong anak,” Regier said. She added that the lighter passenger volume also made their trip more comfortable and affordable.
“Mas comfortable na ang biyahe namin ng mga anak ko at mas nakamura pa kami sa pamasahe pauwi ng Olongapo.”
Transportation personnel also observed that passenger volume gradually declined after the peak return period, allowing bus operators to manage trips more efficiently. Some commuters intentionally delayed their return to avoid heavy traffic and congestion commonly experienced during the final days of the Holy Week. Despite the decrease in passenger numbers, transport authorities continue to monitor terminal operations to ensure safe and orderly travel for the remaining passengers heading back to their destinations.
stations were given laptops for teleconsultation, electronic medical record keeping and for Philhealth YAKAP integration.
Barangay Health Stations have long been central to grassroots healthcare in the Philippines, dating back to their institutionalization in 1971. As communities transitioned into the formal barangay structure in the 1970s, these centers remained essential in ensuring
during the summer months. Beyond halo-halo, communities are also seeing a surge in ice candy, sago’t gulaman, buko juice, fruit shakes, and iced coffee sold from home-based setups. Freezers positioned near windows, handwritten cardboard signs, and umbrellas shading small carts have become seasonal markers of entrepreneurship. In many neighborhoods, these stalls transform streets into informal cooling spots where residents briefly gather to escape the heat. The trend reflects how communities adapt to environmental conditions. As temperatures rise, so does the need for accessible refreshments—creating opportunities for microbusinesses that thrive on seasonal demand.
that public health services, from vaccination drives to nutrition monitoring and family planning, reach the grassroots. To date, the Foundation has renovated 228 health centers nationwide. By enhancing these community-based facilities, SM Foundation continues to help ensure that quality healthcare remains accessible, affordable, and responsive to the needs of Filipino families.
JCI Manila and AY Foundation officials lead the launch of the 43rd St. Teresa of Calcutta Awards, honoring Filipinos dedicated to lifelong service and compassion.
The author and his friends enjoying a cool plunge at Como Laya.
on Children’s Island offers a generous spread of local seafood, grilled meats, and Alaminos longganisa.
newly upgraded Barangay
The Hundred Islands Bonsai Garden adds a
stop to the day’s island-hopping route
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
BEAUTY queen and Sparkle artist Gazini
Ganados is returning to the international pageant stage with a clear purpose. She will represent the Philippines at the inaugural Miss Grand International (MGI) All Stars in Thailand from May 18 to May 30.
“For me, this is no longer just about competition. This is a calling,” Gazini said, adding that her return to the stage focuses on her advocacy and giving visibility to the issues and communities she represents.
Previously known for her advocacy in elderly care, Gazini says her mission has grown with her life experiences, embracing her identity as a Filipina–Palestinian woman. Meeting her Palestinian father after her Miss Universe journey exposed her to the impact of conflict and violence, shaping her goal to bring attention to these issues and provide a platform for often-unheard voices.
Gazini is the fourth Philippine candidate to compete in the MGI All Stars. She said her heritage allows her to represent both the values of compassion and resilience as a Filipina and remembrance and hope as a Palestinian.
“This time, I am showing up fully—mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared. I’m not here just to wear a crown. I’m here to stand for something bigger than myself,” she said. Outside of pageantry, Gazini has acted in the fantasy series Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre , playing one of the ancient Kambal -Diwa. She is also interested in action and physically challenging roles.
By Angelica Villanueva
KIM Chiu completed a short business course in Paris as part of her effort to continue learning beyond her showbiz career.
On Monday, April 6, Showtime hosts congratulated Kim on her achievement.
Pero si Kim, i-congratulate natin dahil sobrang nakakaproud, nag-aral ng tatlong linggo sa Paris naman,” Amy Perez
The 35-year-old actress shared that she enrolled in the three-week course to expand her knowledge, particularly in business and marketing.
“This year is about learning and improving. Hindi naman tumitigil kung ano lang ‘yung nalalaman natin sa buhay Kim stated. “Marami akong pinag-aralan for future marketing purposes and business.”
The Alibi star also gave followers a glimpse of her time abroad through an Instagram story, where she appeared to be attending a lecture.
SHOWBIZ
Why AI can’t replace the heart and soul of music
By Jasper Valdez
VIRAL hits now arrive like instant noodles, just add a prompt, stir, and a hook appears. Scroll through TikTok, and you’ll find AI-generated tracks pulsing through dance challenges and skits, engineered for speed and replay.
Actor-singer JRey Rivas acknowledges the power of this technology, noting its potential to support creative
“AI is here to make conversations more comfortable for everyone and to make technological processes faster and more efficient,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment during his birthday concert on March 31. “But for music artists, it can also be seen as a
He points out the distinction between convenience and craftsmanship, elucidating why AI-generated music can never replicate the emotional depth and essence of a rhythm created by an artist.
“What we can stand on as artists is the heart behind every song,” JRey said. “Yes, AI is trending, and it can generate content quickly, but behind every song is a deep process and real experience. In contrast, AI can create anytime with just a prompt. It’s fast, yes—but it lacks heart.”’
The difference is not just technical but emotional, JRey emphasized.
“Right now it’s trending, but eventually, it fades because it doesn’t have a real history or emotional foundation,” he said. “When something has no real history or lived experience behind it, it lacks lasting
“Real inspiration still comes from the heart. That part shouldn’t come from AI. AI can guide you, but it shouldn’t replace your own ideas and creativity,” he JRey has just launched a new record called Paulit, an EP shaped by heartbreak and repair, with tracks that circle the ache before letting it go.
“I’m single now. I just went through a heartbreak, I really didn’t expect it to happen,” he said. “This year, I decided to enter the world of music because I believe that my dream and passion for songwriting would be ignited and shared with the whole world. Music, after all, is a universal language.”
A theater actor at heart, JRey won a FAMAS Best Supporting Actor award for Katips and later earned a Sinag Maynila nomination for Ang Bangkay . He chose to stay in the Philippines despite offers abroad, building a career that moves between stage and screen while serving as COO of Philstagers.
During the pandemic, he helped keep the company afloat through livestreaming, then pushed it toward digital production, reaching millions online. Through it all, his focus is simple. “My mindset is always to just be the best version of myself. I only ever want to compete against myself,” he said.
Gazini Ganados’
Very Wang Nickie Wang JRey Rivas continues to shape his sound with music drawn from personal experiences
AYALA Foundation Inc. has unveiled the architectural plans for Kontempo –Center for Contemporary Art, outlining the spatial and environmental strategy behind the purpose-built institution rising in Circuit Makati along the Pasig River. Planned as a non-collecting, program-driven venue, Kontempo will focus on contemporary artistic practice and public engagement. The roughly 100,000-square-foot facility will include three main gallery spaces and a range of public and program areas designed for flexible use over time. The project is led by architect Kulapat Yantrasast, founder of WHY Architecture, in collaboration with Manila-based Lor Calma & Partners.
Yantrasast said the design draws from the character of Manila and the Pasig River, combining natural elements with spaces for art and learning under a large, unifying roof. He said the structure is intended to support a range of contemporary practices while
Kontempo takes shape as a flexible public institution for modern practice, learning, and community engagement in Circuit
Ayala Foundation details design for contemporary art center
remaining open to both local and international audiences. At the center of the design is a canopy inspired by palm fronds. Lightweight
By Nickie Wang
THIS April, Circuit Makati will pulse with movement and color as the International Dance Day Fest returns, transforming the city into a stage where stories are told without words.
The festival, hosted at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, positions Makati as a vibrant center for the arts, with Ayala Land supporting initiatives to nurture creativity and bring memorable cultural experiences to audiences. It will showcase a wide range of styles, including classical ballet, contemporary works, street dance, and traditional Filipino performances.
The festival opens on April 22 with an Opening Gala featuring the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, joined by principal dancers Thomas Forster and The performance is supported by the Ayala Foundation and Steps Dance Foundation and is expected to set the tone for a week of performances that highlight the diversity and richness of global dance.
On April 23, the festival will feature the Folk Dance Gala, celebrating Filipino heritage through traditional movement and storytelling. The following day, the Street Dance Gala will bring together some of the most dynamic local crews and performers.
April 25 will highlight the Ballet Gala, presenting the precision and grace of classical dance with some of the country’s leading ballet talents. The festival will conclude on April 26 with the Contemporary Gala, which will showcase innovative works that reflect the evolving language of modern dance.
Apart from performances, the festival includes educational and interactive programs. On April 21, ABT Studio Company Artistic Director Sascha Radetsky will lead a lecture-demonstration for public school students at 2:00 p.m., giving them a behind-the-scenes look at how a performance comes to life.
Christine Rocas, répétiteur of The Joffrey Ballet and Gerald Arpino Foundation, will also stage and teach excerpts from two of Arpino’s well-known works, promoting cultural exchange through dance.
The International Dance Day Fest aligns with the global celebration of International Dance Day on April 29, established in 1982 by the International Theatre Institute to honor Jean Georges Noverre, considered the father of modern ballet.
The event is organized by Ayala Land, Make it Makati, Circuit Makati, and the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, with additional support from Ayala Corporation and Steps Dance Foundation. Tickets are available through Ticketworld.
VOLUNTEERS are invited to join a public mural painting activity on April 9 to mark Araw ng Kagitingan and show support for the West Philippine Sea.
The event at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo High School along Boni Serrano Avenue is part of the nationwide West Philippine Sea Mural Festival, which transforms public walls into expressions of national pride, identity, and courage. An opening program featuring organizers and partners will run
from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by mural painting until 5:00 p.m. The activity is open to all, from experienced artists to first-time participants, who are encouraged to bring paintbrushes, water tumblers, and towels.
The festival carries the theme
“Kulayan ang Karagatan Para sa Kalayaan,” emphasizing the West Philippine Sea as part of Filipino culture, livelihood, and daily life.
“Public art has the unique power to bring national conversations
closer to communities,” said AG Sano , a muralist and environmental activist who leads the festival. “We invite artists across the country to help turn walls into expressions of pride, memory, and care for our seas.”
Murals will explore Filipino identity, coastal life, environmental stewardship, and hope for future generations.
More details are available on the festival’s Facebook page: https://web. facebook.com/WPSMuralFestival
scene. Further details on programming and public spaces will be released as development continues. Kontempo is scheduled for completion by late 2028.
A SIX-SESSION memoir writing workshop led by eight-time Palanca awardee Dr. Joem Antonio will be held at Sunshine Place beginning April 13. The workshop is open to participants who want to learn how to write personal stories, with no prior training or experience required. It aims to guide attendees in developing and documenting their life stories through structured
Makati
American Ballet Theatre Studio Company’s principal dancers Thomas Forster (right) and Christine Shevchenko will open this year’s festival,
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
GeloyturnsConcepcion thousands of confessions into living exhibit
IHAVE always been drawn to exhibits that break away from the usual formats—the kind that go beyond framed pieces on walls and instead invite a different kind of participation. Something is compelling about exhibitions that ask you to respond, or even simply sit with a thought a little longer than expected. These are the experiences that linger, precisely because they don’t feel fixed or conventional.
This month, I’m excited for an exhibition on display at a premier educational institution—Ateneo de Manila. The show encourages audiences to engage not just as viewers but as participants, creating space for emotion, curiosity, and a deeper consideration of how we make sense of both our inner lives and the wider world.
Things you wanted to say but never did
In 2019, visual artist Geloy Concepcion posted a prompt on his personal social media account: “What are the things you wanted to say but never did?”
The project reflects on the artist’s immigrant isolation after moving from Manila to California in 2017.
project as a gallery experience centered on intimacy, anonymity, and connection
Facing three years without work due to immigration delays, he struggled with language barriers and found it difficult to return to photography.
The global pandemic only heightened this sense of estrangement, making isolation not only an individual experience but also a collective condition.
Soon, his post gained traction, and replies filled his inbox. He received thousands of confessions, fears, hopes, insecurities, and questions anonymously from around the world. Later, he shifted to receiving responses via Google Forms to make it easier to sort and compile them.
This simple post didn’t stop there.
At first, Concepcion would inscribe senders’ words onto pictures he took himself and posted them. The series soon gained visibility and resonance online.
As thousands of letters came in, he began using photographs found at flea
A GROUP of international visual artists from Japan, Indonesia, Switzerland, and the Philippines is exploring the intersection of art and science in the exhibit Poets of Physics at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD). The exhibition draws inspiration from the late Filipino artist David Medalla, known for his kinetic art, installations, and performances. In 1964, Medalla created Cloud Canyons, a bubble machine that produced constantly changing sculptural forms, earning him the description of “a poet who celebrates physics.” He later experimented with sand and mud to expand these biokinetic creations.
markets in California, as well as images submitted alongside the letters.
Six years later, after receiving almost 300,000 messages and publishing more than 3,000 notes, Concepcion’s personal social media project debuts as an exhibition at the Ateneo Art Gallery. The show is on view from April 18 to July 12, at the Wilson L. Sy Prints & Drawings Gallery, 2F Ateneo Art Gallery, Soledad V. Pangilinan Arts Wing, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University.
Titled Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did, the six-year project features Concepcion’s published work from the online series, alongside new letters gathered from across the Philippines.
The exhibition brings the project into tangible form, inviting visitor participation and extending its relational nature into a physical context.
Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did unfolds across two spaces. The first
component gathers several of the notes sent from different countries, written on his film photographs and on images sourced elsewhere.
The second section presents letters written by people nationwide, gathered by volunteers who tapped their communities. This section is designed for visitors to stay awhile before leaving, to write a note and carry on the project’s relay of affect.
Each note appeals to connections and ties back to the artist’s photography practice, particularly portraiture, which is inherently relational.
“It isn’t just the picture of a person. It is about access; it’s the consent your subject is giving for you to represent them,” shared Concepcion.
Running for six years, the project has become an archive of sentiment, its intimacy owing to its anonymity. A confession arrives without a name; its voice belongs to anyone.
QUEZON City and Baguio City have signed a partnership at the Montañosa Film Festival to promote collaboration across creative fields and strengthen ties within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
The alliance links Quezon City, recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Film, with Baguio City, designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts. The agreement was formalized during the UNESCO Creative Cities Alliance Dinner and Filmmakers Fellowship at The John Hay Hotels.
The signing was led by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, with officials including Creative Baguio City Council co-chair Marie Venus Tan, QCinema artistic director Ed Lejano, and National Artist Kidlat Tahimik Under the agreement, the cities
will encourage artist and filmmaker exchanges, joint projects, training programs, and the integration of traditional crafts into film production. The partnership also covers participation in festivals, exhibitions, screenings, and international initiatives through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Belmonte announced the transformation of the Quezon City Film Commission into the Quezon City Screen Commission, expanding support to all forms of screen-based storytelling. Lejano was named the new head.
Quezon City’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Film in 2025 reflects its growing film ecosystem, including major studios, production facilities, academic institutions, and the QCinema International Film Festival, which champions diverse, globally competitive storytelling.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (center) and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (right) formalize
Bagus Pandega’s ‘A Pervasive Rhythm’ blends sound, motion,
‘Indecisive Things’