Leaders cautiously hail truce; PBBM: Time to hike fuel supply
By Charles Dantes and Katrina Manubay
United States and Iran, mostly with cautious optimism and calls for turning the truce into a workable peace deal.
Fragile ceasefire holds,
• Wary of US, IRG says ‘finger on the trigger’
• Vance: Don’t mess around with Trump
Abetween the United States and Iran appeared to be holding yesterday after the rivals agreed a two-week truce to the war that has killed thousands and hammered the global economy.
The truce, however, was shaky, with Iran hitting Gulf States and Israel attacking Lebanon.
Several Gulf nations endured fresh attacks just hours after ceasefire announcement. The strikes on Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates came as two ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran agreed to temporarily reopen the strategic waterway.
There was also no let-up to fighting in Lebanon where Israel renewed its strikes against Hezbollah.
Crisis cripples half of fishermen in Luzon; rice harvest threatened
By Othel Campos and Ram Superable
During a Senate Committee on Agriculture hearing, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) executive director Jayson Cainglet said about 50 percent of fishers in Cavite, Bataan, Zambales, and Pangasinan have halted operations following the latest round of oil price hikes implemented on April 7.
livelihoods.
The White House said Israel had also agreed to the ceasefire, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it does not include Lebanon, where Israel’s operation has killed more than 1,500 people, according to local authorities. Still, both the US and Iran claimed victory as the truce was announced barely an hour before President Donald Trump’s deadline to agree a deal or face obliteration, but Tehran warned the war was not over until formal terms were negotiated. Finger on the trigger Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned they had “no trust” in promises from
Garin: Fuel prices not going back to prewar levels
By Alena Mae Flores, Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz, and Ram Superable
THE Philippines should not expect fuel prices to return to pre-Middle East war levels anytime soon, even if the conflict in major oil-producing regions were to end immediately, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said Wednesday, as the government moved to address the impact of elevated oil costs on the economy.
Garin’s predecessor at the Department of Energy (DOE), current Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla, echoed the sentiment, warning that high fuel prices may persist even if hostilities in the Middle East subside and government interventions are implemented.
“Fearless forecast: There is no more, huwag na kayong umasang babalik pa ng P61 ‘yan (Don’t expect it will go back to P61 per liter of diesel),” Petilla said in a TV interview.
In other developments:
• The head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Willie Walsh, said it would take months for jet fuel supply and prices to stabilize, even with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
• The DOE is studying the use of a P20 billion allocation from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to jumpstart the creation of a strategic petroleum reserve.
CHED okays online classes option amid energy crisis
By Rolando Ng III and Rio N. Araja
and electricity crisis.
Depending
CHED chairperson Shirley Agrupis said the directive is part of “stop-gap” measures similar to those issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are giving full flexibility for all higher education institutions to adhere to the previously issued COVID-19 pandemic
By Maricel V. Cruz
A MANILA Regional Trial Court (RTC) has granted the request of the House Committee on Justice to allow detained witness Ramil Madriaga to appear
WORKING AND HEALTHY. Malacañang released
Marcos Jr.
interviewed
SHAKY CEASEFIRE. A fireball rises from a building hit by an Israeli airstrike in the area of Abbasiyeh, on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, on April 8, 2026. Israel said the US ceasefire with Iran did not include its conflict with Hezbollah. AFP
Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian
US President Donald Trump Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
PBBM downplays health rumors
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he has resumed his routine and is in stable condition, brushing off speculations about his health while acknowledging ongoing efforts to stay fit.
In an interview, Mr. Marcos said his condition “is still the same” but admitted he is being cautious to avoid setbacks.
“I’m struggling because I don’t want to go down again,” he said, without elaborating on any specific illness.
“I’m doing my usual, watching my health, making sure that I’m always ready to do the work,” he said.
The President thanked supporters for their concern but downplayed social media speculation.
“Don’t take it too seriously. Social media is playful. We don’t have a problem,” he said.
He noted physical changes: “I might go back (to being fat). So, that’s what I’m taking care of.”
The President has resumed his regular exercise and daily routine for the past three months and continues to monitor his health to ensure he is fit for work.
Fragile...
“Last week, before the third major increase, about 30% had already stopped fishing. This week, after Tuesday’s hike, it rose to nearly 50%,” Cainglet told lawmakers.
In the same hearing, a Department of Agriculture (DA) official said the conflict in the Middle East could slash local rice production by up to half if the government fails to intervene, and that the “cost of inaction” for rice, corn, and fisheries could reach P75 billion.
DA Undersecretary Asis Perez cautioned that rising energy costs are threatening the upcoming planting season, noting that their “best case scenario” is a 20 percent reduction in production.
“It can even go up to 50 percent decline in productivity because you see, ‘pag wala hong fertilizer, walang magagawa yung farmer.”
About one-third of the global seaborne trade in fertilizers, totaling roughly 16 million tonnes, passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical chokepoint for agricultural supplies, the United Nations Trade and Development body has said.
Despite the disruption at the production level, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said prices of key agricultural commodities remain stable for now, with adequate supply expected through the summer months.
the United States despite the two-week ceasefire deal, adding that their “finger was on the trigger.”
“The Iranian nation’s dedicated guards are listening to the orders of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, His Holiness Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, and their finger is on the trigger,” read a statement on their Telegram channel.
Calling on Gulf countries to end their “cooperation” with the United States, the Guards added: “The enemy has always been deceitful, and we have no trust in its promises, and we will respond to every aggression at a greater level.”
For his part, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad would host delegations from the United States and Iran later this week following the Mideast ceasefire announcement.
“I... extend deepest gratitude to the leadership of both the countries and invite their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, 10th April 2026, to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes,” he said in a post on X.
Pakistan, which has forged a close relationship with President Donald Trump and is sensitive to developments in neighboring Iran, emerged as a channel for messaging between Tehran and Washington in recent weeks.
“We earnestly hope that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in coming days,” Sharif said.
Tehran and Washington both
ty. “This is a stop-gap mechanism to address the crisis on transportation, electricity costs, and so on. We are encouraging a shift to online learning for now, but it should not sacrifice the intended outcomes of the programs,” Agrupis added.
The University of the Philippines System said laboratory classes and other onsite academic activities will continue as needed.
Meanwhile, major transport groups on Wednesday criticized the government’s P5,000 cash subsidy for fuel as insufficient amid rising prices due to Middle East tensions and warned they might launch a transport holiday.
“We will take full advantage of the two weeks to increase our supply as much as possible and to continue to make whatever arrangements are possible,” he said. “Hopefully, the price of oil will go down a bit, but we’ll see… Two weeks may not be enough time to bring the prices down,” Mr. Marcos said. Across the globe, reactions were mixed:
Turkey Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Wednesday of the threat from “possible provocations and sabotage” to the ceasefire accord.
In a message on X welcoming the last-minute accord, Erdogan said: “We hope that the ceasefire will be fully implemented on the ground without giving any opportunity for possible provocations and sabotage.”
United Nations
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire, his spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the UN chief “calls on all the parties to the current con-
President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in connection with the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
At the same time, the Justice panel directed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman Francis Edralin Lim to appear before the panel and submit corporate records tied to entities linked to Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio.
In an order dated April 7, 2026 sent to the House Committee on Justice, RTC Judge Alma Crispina Collado-Lacorte approved the panel’s request em-
flict in the Middle East to comply with their obligations under international law and to abide by the terms of the ceasefire in order to pave the way toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.”
Pope Leo
“I welcome with satisfaction, and as a sign of real hope, the announcement of an immediate two-week truce. Only by returning to negotiations can we reach the end of the war,” the Catholic leader said at the end of his weekly audience at the Vatican.
Qatar
Qatar’s foreign ministry said the truce was “an initial step toward de-escalation” and urged Iran “to immediately cease all hostile acts and practices that undermine regional stability.”
Oman’s foreign ministry underlined “the importance of intensifying efforts at this juncture to identify solutions capable of resolving the crisis at its roots and achieving a permanent cessation of the state of war.”
Saudi Arabia
The Saudi foreign ministry said it hoped the truce “will represent an opportunity to achieve a comprehensive
Malacañang on Wednesday said it is preparing to file a complaint with the Department of Justice against individuals spreading false information about the President’s health.
Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez said
claimed to have won the war which began on February 28 after US-Israeli airstrikes killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and kicked off a regional war.
Trump ‘impatient to make progress’
Trump said the deal was a “total and complete victory.” Iran also hailed it as a win but warned it would enter talks with the US on Friday in Pakistan with “complete distrust.”
The ceasefire “does not mean the end of the war” and Iran would only accept a lasting truce if its terms were met, said the Iranian National Security Council in a statement carried on state media.
US Vice President JD Vance welcomed the “fragile truce” with Iran, urging Tehran to negotiate in “good faith” to reach a long-term deal and warning US President Donald Trump was “not one to mess around.”
He added if the Iranians don’t come to the negotiating table, “they’re going to find out that the President of the United States is not one to mess around. He’s impatient. He’s impatient to make progress.”
Vance said Trump had shown “that we still have clear military, diplomatic, and maybe most importantly we have extraordinary economic leverage.”
“If they’re going to lie, if they’re going to cheat, if they’re trying to prevent even the fragile truce that we’ve set up from taking place, then they’re not going to be happy,” he added.
Trump had earlier warned a “whole civilization will die” in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened but said he
bodied in a March 31 letter from the House leaders.
“Acting on the letter dated March 31, 2026 by Hon. Atty. Gerville ‘Jinky’ Bitrics/R. Luistro, Chairperson, Committee on Justice and Hon. Faustino ‘Bojie’ G. Dy III, Speaker of the House of Representatives, requesting the Court to allow PDL Ramil Lagonoy (sic) Madriaga to appear before the Committee on Justice… the same is GRANTED,” the court order read.
Madriaga, identified in House proceedings as a key witness, is facing charges for kidnapping pending before the same court. He is currently detained at the PNP jail in Bicutan, Taguig City.
“Accordingly, accused Ramil
and sustainable de-escalation, enhancing the security of the region, and that any attacks or policies that undermine the sovereignty, security and stability of the countries in the region will cease.”
Iraq
Iraq’s foreign ministry said on X it welcomed the ceasefire and “calls for building upon this positive step by launching serious and sustainable dialogue tracks that address the root causes of the disputes and strengthen mutual trust.”
The president of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region said: “I hope all parties will uphold this commitment in good faith and work towards a lasting peace that promotes stability, security, and prosperity throughout the entire region.”
Israel opposition
Israel’s main opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply criticized the ceasefire with Iran, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to achieve the war’s objectives.
“There has never been a political disaster like this in our entire history. Israel was not even close to the table when decisions were made concerning the core of our national security,” Lapid wrote on X.
authorities are gathering evidence to support the legal action, which could be filed as early as next week.
“We are collecting all pieces of evidence and will initiate a complaint with the DOJ, hopefully next week,” Gomez said.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that Mr. Marcos’ weight loss is linked to precautionary measures after a past bout of diverticulitis, not due to any current illness.
“When he first experienced the pain from diverticulitis, he became careful about what he eats because he didn’t want to feel that pain again,” Castro said.
had spoken to Pakistan’s leaders who requested he hold off.
“Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time).
Safe passage in Strait of Hormuz
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed safe passage for two weeks for ships through the strait, which Tehran sealed off in retaliation for the war, sending global energy prices soaring.
“If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations,” Araghchi said.
Two ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since Iran agreed to reopen the waterway as part of the ceasefire deal, maritime monitor Marine Traffic said Wednesday.
“The Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the Strait at 08:44 UTC, while the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach transited earlier at 06:59 UTC, shortly after departing Bandar Abbas at 05:28 UTC”, MarineTraffic said on X.
Later on Wednesday, Trump posted on social media that the US would “be helping with the traffic buildup in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Oil prices plunged by more than 17 percent after the ceasefire announcement, while European natural gas dropped 20 percent. Stock prices also soared in early trading on Wednesday in Asia. AFP
Madriaga y Lagonoy is hereby allowed to appear before the Committee on Justice located at the 2nd Floor of the People Center, House of Representatives, Batasang Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City on April 14, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with proper jail escorts,” the order stated.
Earlier, the House Justice panel formally sought the court’s permission to secure Madriaga’s attendance as it resumes hearings on the determination of probable cause in the impeachment complaints against Duterte.
The panel asserted that the request forms part of its ongoing proceedings to assess the verified impeachment complaints against the Vice President.
The head of the left-wing Democrats party, Yair Golan, called the truce a “strategic failure” by Netanyahu, a “total failure that endangers Israel’s security for years to come.”
European Union
The truce “creates a much-needed chance to tone down threats, stop missiles, restart shipping, and create space for diplomacy towards a lasting agreement,” EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas wrote on X.
Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the two-week ceasefire but said US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure had not been “appropriate.”
Albanese said: “I don’t think it’s appropriate to use language such as that from the president of the United States, and I think it will cause some concern.”
Britain, France, Germany
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the truce “will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world” as he headed to the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the ceasefire “a very good thing”
• The Marcos administration is ramping up coordination with the private sector to mitigate the economic impact of rising fuel costs. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said government officials held back-to-back meetings with business leaders and oil industry executives in Malacañang to address supply constraints and cost pressures.
• Calls are mounting in the Senate to revisit the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998, with Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Robinhood Padilla pushing for its repeal as fuel prices and inflation continue to climb.
• The House of Representatives launched a broad effort to craft a comprehensive response to the oil shock, including discussions on a possible “Bayanihan 3” package aimed at cushioning the impact on transport, agriculture, consumer prices, and household budgets.
• Despite the ongoing congressional recess, the Legislative Energy Action Development Council (LEAD) hearing drew strong participation, with 170 lawmakers attending—51 physically present and 119 joining online—underscoring the urgency of the issue. Garin said that while Iran has cleared the safe passage of Manila-flagged vessels and seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz, global supply disruptions and higher delivery costs will continue to keep pump prices elevated.
“This price went up in one month, triple na tayo. It went up day, weekon-week. [Why?] Because they kept on bombing the oil fields, all the infrastructures in the Middle East, and those are our sources,” Garin said. She stressed that the Philippines remains heavily dependent on imports from conflict-affected regions, adding: “99 percent of our oil comes from there, and 20% of the whole world.”
Garin also noted a 25-percent drop in domestic fuel demand, which has helped stabilize supply levels despite the price surge.
“Ang diesel will be P100 (a liter) or a little over P100, and then gasoline is a little under P100 kapag nag-normalize na lahat dahil maraming infrastructure na nasira sa ating mga refineries at mga oil extraction sa Middle East,” he added. Amid the volatility, Garin proposed during a House hearing the establishment of a national oil stockpile and a dedicated budget to reduce the country’s vulnerability to supply disruptions.
“Maybe also the House can consider our vulnerabilities because we don’t have our own reserves, and added to the fact that we only have one refinery, and that’s only 30 percent of our demand,” Garin said.
She said it remains unclear whether legislation is required for the plan, but emphasized that the project would require billions of pesos in funding and significant infrastructure investments. Studies are ongoing to determine the cost and logistics of the stockpile. Garin noted that one million barrels of diesel— equivalent to just five days of supply— would already cost about P12 billion at current prices, suggesting that the proposed P20 billion budget may be insufficient.
“Even if we buy more, we don’t have the facilities to store,” she said. “We’re preparing that so we can present it also in Congress. But we’re still doing the feasibility and all the evaluation.” At the same hearing, Garin assured lawmakers that the country’s current fuel supply remains adequate, with inventory averaging 50.42 days.
and that Paris hoped it “will be fully respected throughout the region” and that it “fully includes Lebanon.”
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged a “durable end to the war in the next few days,” adding “this can only be achieved by diplomacy.”
Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that Ukrainian military teams helping Middle East countries counter Iranian drone attacks would stay in the region.
Ukraine’s foreign minister wrote on social media that “American decisiveness works. We believe it is time for sufficient decisiveness to force Moscow to cease fire and end its war against Ukraine.”
Japan
“The most important thing is that concrete steps will be taken to de-escalate the situation, including ensuring the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” Japanese government spokesman Minoru Kihara said. The world’s fourth-largest economy is the fifth biggest importer of oil, with around 70 percent coming through the vital waterway before the war. With AFP
Corruption tops voter concerns, survey shows
By Katrina Manubay
TWO in 10 voters, or 20%, identified corruption as their top concern nationwide, with a combined 34% linking governance failures to broader institutional and economic challenges, based on a survey by PUBLiCUS Asia Inc.
In the latest Pahayag poll, results showed that respondents’ concerns extend beyond a single category, as voters also pointed to the relationship between corruption and public trust (9%) and its impact on business confidence (5%).
Concerns about corruption varied across regions, with the Visayas reporting the highest at 23%, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) at 21%, North Central Luzon at 20%, and South Luzon at 19%. Mindanao had the lowest concern at 17%.
Economic issues also remained a significant concern, distributed across various topics.
These include rising fuel prices (12%), the state of the economy (8%), inflation (7%), poverty (5%), and wages (4%). Although no single economic issue ranked higher than corruption, the combined economic concerns reflected a substantial 36% burden on households nationwide due to the cost of living.
Looking ahead to the coming quarter, the most pressing concern identified was the prevalence of corrupt practices in government offices (13%). This was closely followed by basic survival issues, including the inability to purchase essential commodities due to rising prices (12%), the inability to afford basic necessities (10%), and insufficient income (7%).
By Maricel V. Cruz
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has convened a “Virtual Financial Service Providers (FSP) Summit” via Zoom as part of its efforts to shift toward digital disbursement for the second tranche of the Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian explained the rationale behind the planned shift to digital payouts.
“The first round of payouts for public utility drivers was done manually to make sure that we verified and validated that the drivers were real drivers and real people, especially since the lists were coming from external sources beyond DSWD. It’s like the ‘know your customer’ phase of banks when opening bank accounts. For the succeeding rounds, we will go to digital payouts for PUV drivers who have e-wallets— TNVS, MC taxi, and delivery service drivers,” Gatchalian said in a social media post.
The DSWD also welcomed all emoney issuers, mobile wallet operators, and financial technology providers to participate in the virtual conference.
The initiative builds on lessons learned from the initial rollout of the CRA under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program, reflecting the Department’s continuing efforts to improve service delivery to those affected by rising fuel costs brought about by the ongoing geopolitical conflict in the Middle East.
Passport delays seen amid Middle East crisis
By Vito Barcelo and Katrina Manubay
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Wednesday that passport applications submitted starting the last week of March may experience delays due to logistical and supply chain challenges resulting from the crisis in the Middle East.
In an advisory, the DFA Office of Consular Affairs indicated that, due to the ongoing conflict, the issuance of new passports may take 10 to 15 working days from the date of application, until further notice.
“In this regard, applicants are advised that the release of new passports may take 10 to 15 working days from the date of application until further notice,” the advisory read.
The department also vowed to work closely with the third-party service provider to address current delays in ePassport printing, ensuring passport operations return to normal as soon
as possible. Additionally, the DFA’s Office of Consular Affairs at the Aseana Building, DoubleDragon Plaza Complex, and all consular offices nationwide have implemented Memorandum Circular No. 114, which includes energy conservation measures such as a fourday on-site workweek.
Applicants with appointments on Fridays will be rescheduled to the following workweek, from Monday to Thursday.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday denied reports that thousands of overseas
Filipino workers (OFWs) have been stranded due to a supposed deployment ban in the Middle East, clarifying that no such restriction has been imposed across the region.
In a statement, the DMW said deployment of Filipino workers continues in countries where conditions remain stable, despite varying alert levels issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in parts of the Middle East amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The DMW said alert level classifications do not automatically translate into a total deployment ban, noting that restrictions are imposed only under specific circumstances, such as Alert Level 4, which mandates mandatory repatriation.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government is closely monitoring the situation and is taking a calibrated approach to ensure both the protection of workers and the continuity of overseas employment opportunities.
the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s ‘Safer Cities’ initiative. Authorities arrest several individuals, including drunks, shirtless residents, and minors, and bring them to a covered court for documentation. Norman Cruz
24k violators nabbed under safer cities
By Vince Lopez and Joel Zurbano
THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday, April 8, reported that it apprehended more than 24,000 individuals during the first two days of strict implementation of rules and regulations aimed at instilling discipline and boosting peace and order in the metropolis. The operations were carried out by the Manila, Quezon City, Northern, Southern, and Eastern police districts.
In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said 24,881 violators were apprehended under the newly launched Safer Cities initiative, which enforces stricter implementation of rules and regulations following the policing ini-
tiatives of NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin under the “Able, Active and Allied” policing approach.
Of the 24,881 violators apprehended, Asilo said the Southern Police District recorded the highest number with 12,211. Violations of the drinking-inpublic ordinance reached 8,075, while 6,369 were fined, 219 were formally charged, and 18,293 were released with warnings. A combined total of P5.6 million in citation fines is set to be collected.
“Right now, we have no repeat offenders recorded, but our recording depends on our stations. We are still checking, especially for minors. Of those we arrested these past two days, we haven’t monitored any repeat offenders. After checking the e-warrants or e-rogue to see if they have existing or previous cases, we haven’t recorded any offenses,” Asilo said.
IN BRIEF
SC issues writ of kalikasan over quarrying in Bulacan
THE Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday issued a writ of kalikasan against Halrey Construction, Inc. for illegal quarrying within the Angat River-Bustos Dam Forest Reserve in Banaban, Angat, Bulacan.
The SC cited technical findings showing that the company’s activities significantly increased surface runoff, erosion, and sedimentation within the watershed system.
Reports also indicated that cultivated crops, vegetation, and fruitbearing trees serving as wildlife habitats have been destroyed. The High Tribunal noted that the partial alteration of the protected forest reserve threatens the stability of the watershed declared protected under Proclamation No. 573 and poses serious risks to life, health, and property in nearby provinces. Pot Chavez Measles-rubella cases rise 45% in first quarter MEASLES-RUBELLA cases in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 45% compared to the same period last year, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.
From January 4 to March 21, 1,627 cases were recorded, with 68% involving unvaccinated patients.
Bangsamoro provinces reported the highest number at 344 cases, followed by Metro Manila with 158.
Immunization coverage stands at 66%, leaving around 821,000 of the eligible population unvaccinated. The DOH warned that Mindanao could face an outbreak due to its low vaccination rates below the 95% target.
The agency urged the public to vaccinate children, emphasizing that Measles-Rubella vaccines are safe and effective. Routine vaccination continues, with supplemental immunization planned for Luzon and Visayas later this year. Rolando Ng III
MMDA clears South Metro of obstructions
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) apprehended 56 illegally parked vehicles and impounded 24 others in its ongoing road clearing operations on Wednesday. Operations were conducted along Circumferential Road 5 (C-5 Road) Extension, Merville Access Road, Edison Avenue, and West Service Road in Pasay and Parañaque, continuing to Tramo Street, Manuyo Uno, and Manuyo Dos in Las Piñas.
The MMDA issued citation tickets to the 56 motorists, while towed vehicles were brought to the Tumana impounding site in Marikina. The road clearing resumed on Monday following the Holy Week break, aiming to keep major roads obstruction-free and improve traffic flow. Joel E. Zurbano
‘OPERATION TULI.’ The Provincial Government of Cavite conducts its Operation Tuli program on April 6 in Barangay Manggahan, where 101 young male beneficiaries safely undergo circumcision. Medical teams from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, General Trias Rural Health Unit, and Cavite State University College of Medicine perform the procedures. Dennis Abrina
NIGHT PATROLS. The Manila Police District conducts patrols in barangays in Ermita and Malate on Tuesday night, strictly enforcing local ordinances under
IN BRIEF
DepEd secures $600-m loan for K-10 program
THE Department of Education (DepEd) said a $600-million loan secured from the World Bank will finance a component of the government’s comprehensive literacy program for K-10 learners across the country.
In a Viber message, the DepEd told Manila Standard the funds will be used to implement the Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization (PLUS-D) program.
“Addressing the country’s learning crisis requires large-scale and sustained investment. The PLUSD financing allows the government to expand learning recovery efforts and strengthen literacy interventions nationwide,” the agency said.
The PLUS-D program, organized by the DepEd with support from the World Bank, aims to improve reading and numeracy skills through existing decentralization initiatives. Rolando Ng III
NBI busts crime ring on investment fraud
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has dismantled a sophisticated online investment fraud syndicate with the arrest of 22 suspects during a raid in Makati City.
The operation involved the Cybercrime Division (CCD) and the Special Action Unit (SAU) of the NBI, targeting a specific entity located in a business plaza on Gil Puyat Ave.
The raid was staged last week following close surveillance on fraudulent trading platforms used to siphon off funds from unsuspecting investors.
The investigation stemmed from a formal complaint about violations of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code (Estafa) through the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Joel E. Zurbano
Army launches new facilities at NE camp
THE Philippine Army open on Tuesday an enhanced facility and a mobility asset at its Command and Control Center (C2C) in Camp Gen. Manuel Tinio, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete led the inauguration as he identified three key areas requiring sustained improvement: facilities, equipment, and training.
Nafarrete noted that the Army’s operational needs required collective effort from all ground units to the Headquarters Philippine Army (HPA). He also cited the current limitations in training facilities that have prompted a recommendation to decentralize training while maintaining the same Program of Instruction (POI) and standards to ensure that quality is upheld across different training sites. Rex Espiritu
FIGHT FOR A LIVING WAGE.
Employees of the Kowloon House restaurant on West Ave. in Quezon City stage a picket to drum up support for their labor strike, claiming noncompliance with their collective bargaining agreement including a P13pay increase. Joshua Isaac Español
SC pushes law students’ training program via on-the-job platform
By Pot Chavez
THE Supreme Court (SC) advances its Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) as it held a colloquium to review the program›s implementation.
The program helps broaden access to justice for marginalized communities while preparing law student practitioners (LSPs) for actual practice.
As provided under Rule 138-A of the Rules of Court, LSPs gain hands-
on experience by assisting in the preparation of cases and serving actual clients under supervision.
The three-day colloquium held March 24-26 served as a platform to share best practices, discuss chal-
lenges, and develop concrete proposals for improvement.
SC Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen explained that through CLEP, law students are exposed early to the realities of legal practice.
“It is through earned hands-on experience that students can see for themselves what kind of lawyer they should become. In this light, CLEP is the true indicator of how prepared our students are when they enter the profession. It serves as an invitation to real practice, where theory and
DOJ says LGUs have no authority to conduct HOA elections
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) has no authority to deputize local government units (LGUs) as special sheriffs to conduct homeowners’ association (HOA) elections.
application in law come together to make a difference in the pursuit of justice,” he said.
Leonen added that strengthening the program also supports the judiciary’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI).
The activity gathered 50 participants involved in CLEP implementation, including law school deans and clinic directors, supervising lawyers, externship partners, newly licensed lawyers, members of the judiciary, and law professors from across the country.
CHR urges gov’t to enhance Bahay Pag-asa centers
By Rio N. Araja
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday called on the government to immediately address the poor conditions and child protection gaps in multiple Bahay Pag-asa facilities across the country.
The CHR raised grave concern over a situation report detailing the findings of its nationwide monitoring of BPA facilities.
“The CHR urges the State and all duty-bearers to invest in safe and supportive environments where children can recover, learn, and successfully reintegrate into society,” the CHR said in a statement.
The DOJ said “consistent with the provisions of RA No. 11201 and its IRR, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), through its regional offices, holds authority to call for, conduct, supervise, and observe special elections pursuant to its mandate to exercise regulatory jurisdiction over HOAs in subdivision projects and government housing projects.”
to conduct HOA elections via orders or writs.
The agency issued the statement in a legal opinion issued on March 30 2026 in response to a query on whether HSAC could deputize LGUs
It explained that deputizing LGUs would overstep HSAC’s mandate, infringe on local autonomy, and misalign with administrative law, as LGUs are not national government instrumentalities absent explicit statutory authority.
“LGUs are political subdivisions created under the Constitution and the Local Government Code, en-
dowed with local autonomy, and vested with powers that are territorial and political in character. It is outside the national government structure,” the DOJ explained.
The ruling reinforces clear agency boundaries that the HSAC handles adjudication and enforcement while the DHSUD oversees HOA elections, promoting lawful, coordinated processes for effective governance. Pot Chavez
PNP goes after leaders of fuel smuggling
By Vince Lopez
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the leaders and financiers of a multimillion-peso diesel smuggling ring operating at a fish port in Navotas City.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the operation will deal a major blow to the syndicate which specializes in fuel theft and smuggling most perpetrated through the so-called “paihi” modus.
“This is a massive hit against the ‘paihi’ syndicates. This operation proves our resolve: we will not stop until their supply chain is cut. We are hitting them where it hurts—their pockets,” Nartatez said.
He said the investigators are
currently tracing possible links to a wider network. A financial probe is also being prepared to trace the money flow within the syndicate. He noted that similar schemes often involve mobile depots and coordinated distribution hubs across coastal communities.
“We are currently conducting a thorough investigation to identify the ‘big fish’ behind this operation. We must close in on the mastermind and arrest them,” Nartatez said. Nine suspects were arrested while 65,000 liters of diesel worth P9.75 million were seized in a noontime operation at the Navotas Fish Port complex in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS), Navotas City last April 7.
“The Commission documented serious issues in the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act or Republic Act 9344, including violence during a child’s apprehension, ill-treatment by facility personnel, and facilities that are designed more like jails than safe spaces for children,” the statement added.
The report identified major concerns affecting the welfare of children in these facilities, such as the poor living conditions, delay in the disposition of cases, limited access to healthcare and education, strict or limited visitation rules that affect family contact, and shortages in staff and resources.
The CHR said such conditions violated not only RA 9344 but also Article XV of the 1987 Constitution mandating the State to ensure that children receive proper care, nutrition, and protection from abuse and neglect. The findings were inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), of which the Philippines is a State Party.
The CHR lamented that children in conflict with the law (CICLs) are too often treated as criminals during arrest and detention, instead of treating them with their dignity and worth under Article 40 of the UNCRC.
MAN AND THE SEA. A fisherman casts his line from a jagged reef along the South China Sea, timing his throws with the crashing waves. Edd Castro
OPINION
Windfall
WINDFALL gains are defined by Investopedia as “unexpected…financial windfalls (money, assets or profits) resulting from sudden, lucky circumstances rather than planned effort”.
This writer first got the idea from a March radio interview of Rep. Toby Tiangco, where he explained that reducing the VAT on oil products is better than removing the excise tax.
At the time of the interview, the House was rushing its approval of the bill that would extend emergency powers to the president so he could temporarily reduce or suspend collection of the excise tax.
In an interview by Atty. Karen Jimeno over the Bilyonaryo News Channel, this writer echoed Tiangco’s suggestion, explaining briefly that the 2026 GAA was based on DBCC’s calculation of expected revenues that would support the NEP or “president’s budget.”
At the time that National Expenditure Program was crafted and submitted to Congress, and during its budget deliberations, revenues from VAT collections were based on current, even reasonably projected price movements of “vat-able” commodities, one of which is oil. Thus, 60 pesos or thereabouts was the price of diesel when VAT collections were computed. But Trump’s insanity unleashed on Feb. 28 changed all that.
Now we are seeing 150 pesos per liter of diesel. 12 percent of 150 is 18 pesos VAT on every single liter of diesel, versus 12 percent of 60 which was 7.20 pesos at the time the NEP was submitted and even until the GAA was signed into law by the president. The unexpected boost to government revenue for every liter of diesel is 10.80 pesos. PBbM’s economic managers must now explain to the public how this windfall would be utilized, considering that the expenditure program approved by Congress did not factor these earnings in.
Party-list congressman Rolando Macasaet, who earlier proposed that SSS and GSIS which he headed as CEO under two successive administrations, should grant an Easter bonus to members to alleviate the suffering inflicted by Trump’s insanity, likewise questioned these windfalls of the National Treasury.
The “ayuda” released by DSWD through its AICS, and the farmer/fisherfolk assistance soon to be released by the DA are all part and parcel of the 2026 GAA where the revenue basis was pre-Feb 28.
Ways and Means Chair Miro Quimbo of Marikina, whose wife Stella took over Zaldy Co’s appropriations committee when the financial whiz-kid flew to parts unknown, now tells us that tampering with the VAT would impact negatively on our financial standing before creditors.
But hey, these creditors know their economics too. They understand how geopoliti-
cal conflicts can upend projections, and they too are as discombobulated as all of us.
At a time when the economy is nearing collapse and public suffering is becoming unbearable, when will this government begin to share in the people’s hardships?
Mind you, the VAT, as explained in a previous column, is levied on everything we spend, not just on diesel, gasoline and kerosene, but on every consumer product or service other than rice and wet market produce.
When will this government begin to share in the people’s hardships?
The windfall must be extremely huge.
Ask Senator Lacson, whose grade in math at the PMA must have been quite high that he can conjure billions based on “maletas,” to go figure the bonanza to government coffers.
Tiangco, Macasaet and others are not asking for the abolition of VAT, just reducing it based on GAA’s statement of revenues and expenditures, instead of the excise tax which is still waiting for the president to make up his mind on its implementation.
In last Monday’s column, we also made a common sensical suggestion for government to act like a prudent housewife, cut out unnecessary expenses, to include withholding pork barrel releases, which can then be utilized for fertilizer and other subsidies to farmers, fisherfolk and truckers to ensure availability of food on everyone’s tables.
Even Palawan’s billionaire congressman, Pepito Alvarez, indicated willingness to postpone such “hard” projects to respond to the urgent, “emergency” needs of our people during these parlous times, the end of which depends on which side of the bed America’s POTUS rises to.
Trump once again postponed his “obliteration of Iran” yesterday, citing fresh developments on negotiations only he and his son-in-law Kushner knows. But the effects on the price of oil, LPG, fertilizers, and every other vital commodity will linger for the rest of the year.
Normalcy is unpredictable, just as we could not foresee when Covid would end.
Postpone utilizing the incremental revenues, the windfall, even if Congress is itching to pass a supplementary budget at a time when our national debt has risen to 18.2 trillion pesos.
Maawa naman kayo, Congress and the Cabinet, even if your president may be too weak, too feeble, too insensitive, too unaware of how the people suffer.
Vietnam’s To Lam bets big on building blitz
HANOI—The world’s largest stadium, Southeast Asia’s biggest exhibition hall and hundreds of major road, aviation and energy projects—Vietnam is building faster than ever in its self-proclaimed “era of national rise”.
The country broke ground on more than 550 infrastructure projects last year alone in a staggering spree that will cost around $200 billion. And it is planning hundreds more projects, including its first nuclear power plants and a 1,500-kilometer high-speed railway.
Overseeing the construction drive is the country’s most powerful leader in decades, Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, who on Tuesday was named president as well.
He has staked his leadership on aggressive reforms that aim to deliver double-digit growth, slashing bureaucratic red tape, empowering the private sector and channeling vast resources into mega-projects.
“The party understands that legitimacy in Vietnam is ultimately built on delivered living standards,” said Hanoi-based Dan Martin, from Asian business advisory firm Dezan Shira & Associates.
“The most consequential leaders in Vietnamese modern history are remembered for structural transformation,” he added.
The building bonanza is likely to boost GDP, analysts say, but some caution that it comes with risks, while residents displaced in the name of progress complain of being left behind.
Acceleration
Once among the poorest and most isolated countries in Asia, Vietnam has transformed itself into a thriving export economy, supplying consumer electronics, machinery and clothing to Western nations.
It aims to become an upper middle-income country by the end of the decade, a goal that will require raising GDP per capita
by 70 percent from today’s $5,000.
Leader Lam has turbocharged the development agenda, promoting a “new growth model” powered by major investments in both physical and digital infrastructure.
Elevated to party chief after his predecessor’s death in 2024, he has scrapped whole layers of government and abolished ministries and agencies in a bid to speed up official decision-making.
“We cannot accept low economic growth,” he said in a speech to senior Communist Party cadres last month.
Many mega-projects have been in the pipeline for years, but under Lam they have suddenly moved forward.
Another Hanoi-based analyst likened the government’s pursuit of pricey projects to ‘a poor household trying to buy a luxurious Ferrari at all cost
Others are being built on accelerated timelines, including a new $8.1 billion airport that will serve the capital region.
“This is a deliberate compression of what would normally take a decade into a threeyear window,” Martin said, referencing the country’s mega-projetcs.
The government is borrowing heavily to finance the construction , also courting private investors, such as mega-conglomerate Vingroup.
The strategy carries fiscal risks as well as the potential for graft in the au-
P2.2 billion and a failure of leadership in BARMM
THERE is no escaping the central truth emerging from the audit of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education in BARMM and this is not just about flawed paperwork or sloppy administration. It is about leadership—and the unmistakable failure of it under Mohagher Iqbal.
The findings of the Commission on Audit do not read like a list of minor lapses. They read like a manual on how safeguards collapse when those at the top either look away or allow the system to run unchecked.
More than P2.2 billion in public funds, or money meant for learners in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, was pushed through processes that barely resembled accountability.
Let’s start with the numbers. P1.77 billion for textbooks released in a single day.
Another P449 million handed to a lone supplier for learning kits. These are not routine disbursements. These are red flags large enough to halt any responsible bureaucracy. Yet they moved forward with little resistance.
Seventy-three disbursement vouchers, all told, processed with minimal documentation and thin internal certifications. No rigorous checks. No adherence to procurement law. Just speed and signatures. That is not efficiency. That is exposure. The deeper one looks, the more troubling it becomes.
Fifty-three contracts worth nearly
P2 billion were marred by material defects. Joint ventures misrepresented.
Performance securities missing. Basic legal requirements treated as optional. It is not simply that rules were bent. It appears they have been ignored altogether.
Fifty-three contracts worth nearly P2 billion were marred by material defects
And then comes the detail that captures the culture in full: a supplier delivering armchairs 520 days late without paying penalties that should have reached P16 million. In any serious institution, that delay alone would trigger sanctions. Here, it passed quietly, as if consequence were an afterthought. This is the environment that developed under Iqbal’s watch. Leadership is not about signing off from a distance. It is about ensuring that systems work, that rules
By Jose Antonio Goitia
IN THE midst of relentless hikes in the prices of basic goods and petroleum, there are always opportunistic individuals trying to squeeze themselves between the people’s struggle and the law.
This past April 7, our national police force proved they are not caught napping when it comes to guarding our economy and public safety.
Under the leadership of Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Chief PNP, a successful operation was carried out at the Navotas Fish Port Complex. Nine individuals were caught in the act—not fishing, but engaged in the unauthorized trading and transfer of fuel.
The haul was no small feat: A white fuel tanker and a weathered cargo vessel being used as a “makeshift depot.”
In total, 65,000 liters of diesel were seized, with an estimated value of ₱9.75 million. Imagine the amount of taxes stolen from the government and the sheer danger posed by such an unregulated operation.
Why does this matter to us?
For the ordinary Filipino—our jeep -
thoritarian one-party state, according to analysts.
“Given the lack of financial transparency involved in these mega-projects, one cannot rule out the possibility that they are simply ways for government officials to steal from the state,” said Tuong Vu, who leads the USVietnam Research Center at the University of Oregon.
Lam rose to power by pursuing an aggressive anti-corruption campaign, but under his rule , businesses seen as close to his security-dominated wing of the party have prospered, experts say.
Better infrastructure could boost longterm growth, Vietnam analyst Le Hong Hiep told AFP, but poor management of the projects “could overheat the economy, leading to inflation, higher public debt, fis-
are enforced, and that public funds are protected. When billions move with this level of irregularity, the question is no longer who signed which document. The question is who allowed the system to function this way in the first place.
The cost is not abstract. It is borne by students who continue to study in under-resourced classrooms, by teachers stretched thin, and by communities still waiting for the basic support these funds were meant to deliver.
The situation has already been underscored by the Second Congressional Commission on Education. BARMM’s education sector cannot afford this kind of failure.
Autonomy was meant to empower the region to govern better, to be more responsive, more accountable. But autonomy without discipline breeds something else entirely: a system where speed replaces scrutiny and where compliance becomes negotiable.
Iqbal now faces a test that goes beyond audit responses and written explanations.
The issue is no longer procedural. It is institutional and deeply moral. If accountability stops at the lower ranks, then this audit becomes just another document filed away.
But if responsibility reaches the top, then it may yet serve its purpose. Because what is at stake here is not just P2.2 billion. It is the credibility of governance itself in BARMM, and whether leadership means anything when it matters most.
Plugging the leaks in the nation’s tank
ney drivers, fishermen, and mothers managing the household budget—every drop of fuel is earned through sweat.
The illegal trade of oil, often referred to as “paihi,” is not just simple theft from the nation’s coffers. It represents:
This is no longer just a ‘sideline’—it is a direct attack on the pockets of every Filipino
Transferring thousands of liters of diesel using mere hoses and pumps in the middle of a crowded port is like lighting a fuse on a giant bomb.
Economic Sabotage. When these illegal shipments slip through, the government loses funds intended for public projects, and legitimate businesses that follow the law lose out to unfair competition. There is no guarantee that this illegal fuel isn’t contaminated or diluted. The end result? Damaged engines for the
cal strain, and ultimately macroeconomic instability”.
“Some of these projects may risk becoming ‘white elephants,’ draining public resources,” he added.
Another Hanoi-based analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, likened the government’s pursuit of pricey projects to “a poor household trying to buy a luxurious Ferrari at all cost.”
Uprooted
This concern resonates with 62-year-old Chung , who was forced to give up much of his farmland outside Hanoi to make way for a massive complex that will include a 135,000-capacity stadium.
“I don’t think Vietnam can host a World Cup, so what’s the use of the world’s largest stadium here?” he said.
vehicles or boats of ordinary citizens.
A Warning and a Reminder
We must commend the seamless coordination among the PNP HPG, the PNP Maritime Group, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of Energy. This is the kind of “whole-ofgovernment approach” we need. The message is clear: your schemes that undermine the country will not work. But above all, this victory began with a “concerned citizen.” A tip from someone who refused to stay silent in the face of corruption.
To my fellow “Everyman,” let us not allow these activities to persist in our communities. Vigilance is not just the job of the police; it is a shared responsibility. Every liter stolen from the law is a loss felt most by the small citizens.
To the PNP, keep tightening the watch.
To the illegal traders, think twice. This is no longer just a “sideline”—it is a direct attack on the pockets of every Filipino.
(The writer, Chairman Emeritus of ABKD, PADER, LIPI, and the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement (FDNY), holds a Juris Doctor, PhD, MNSA,MPA, and MBA degrees).
Developer Vingroup paid him almost two billion dong ($76,000) in compensation, a fortune for most farmers in Vietnam but not enough to ease his fears about what will happen to his community.
“We can never benefit from that huge stadium. There will be no jobs there for us,” he told AFP.
About 40 kilometers southeast of Hanoi in Lam’s native Hung Yen province, farmer Dong voiced similar complaints after being evicted to make way for a $1.5 billion golf course being developed by the Trump Organization.
A luxury resort for the super-rich cannot replace farmland that has sustained the community for generations, she said. “In just over a year, they quickly took all our land.” AFP
Japan to boost significantly women troops by mid 2030s
TOKYO—Japan wants to significantly boost the number of women in the military by the mid 2030s, the defence ministry has said, as it struggles to convince young people to enlist.
Under a new target set this year, women should account for 13 percent of troops in Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) by March 2036, up from nine percent currently, the ministry said.
The recruitment drive comes as the ministry pledged to improve conditions for female personnel in the wake of a widely reported sexual assault scandal in which an ex-soldier used YouTube to share her story after an internal military probe was dropped.
The ministry plans “to promote the active engagement of female personnel” it said in a statement to AFP, emphasising the need for “work-life balance”.
As opportunities for female troops continue to expand, the ministry is “improving facilities...including the development of women’s restrooms, baths, and dedicated areas at each garrison and base, as well as women’s quarters on vessels,” it added.
Tokyo is upping defence spending and trying to lure more talent to its armed forces, as anxiety grows over China’s territorial ambitions in the region.
But dangerous duties, low pay and a young retirement age of around 56 are off-putting for young Japanese, officials and experts say.
Japan’s low birth rate, shrinking population and tight labour market are also complicating recruitment, leaving 10 percent of the force’s approximately 250,000 positions unfilled.
Although the SDF has sophisticated defence capabilities, it has until recently refrained from having counter-attack capability, reflecting the US-imposed pacifist constitution that bans use of force as means of settling conflicts.
None of the current forces’ members have died in conflict or killed anyone. Most of some 2,000 personnel who have died in the line of duty since 1950, when the SDF’s predecessor organisation was established, was during military drills. AFP
North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles in 2 rounds
SEOUL—North Korea fi red multiple short-range ballistic missiles in two rounds on Wednesday,
South Korea’s military said, hours after reporting an “unidentifi ed projectile” launched from the North’s capital area the previous day.
South Korean President Lee Jae
Myung has sought to repair ties with North Korea since taking office last year, criticising his predecessor for allegedly sending drones to scatter propaganda over Pyongyang.
The launches follow Seoul’s expression of regret on Monday over civilian drone incursions into the North in January, with President Lee calling it “irresponsible” and noting that government officials had been involved in the operation.
They are seen as North Korea’s latest rebuff of South Korea’s peace
PICASSO’S MONOCHROMATIC PAINTING. German President FrankWalter Steinmeier (left) and his wife Elke Budenbender stand in front of Picasso’s masterpiece ‘Guernica’ at the Reina So a museum in Madrid in this le photo taken Nov. 26, 2025, on the rst day of his visit to Spain. A symbol against the war, Pablo Picasso’s’”Guernica.’ displayed in the Reina So a Museum in Madrid, is at the center of a dispute between the Basque Country, which claims it, the Community of Madrid and the central government.
overtures, according to analysts.
Seoul’s military said early Wednesday it had detected “an unidentified projectile” launched from the Pyongyang area a day earlier.
About an hour later, the military said it also detected “multiple unidentified ballistic missiles” fired from North Korea’s Wonsan area toward the East Sea on Wednesday morning, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.
Later the South Korean military clarified they were short-range ballistic missiles, fired at around 8:50
am (23:50 GMT) and flew around 240 kilometres (149 miles).
Hours later, they announced North Korea fired at least one other ballistic missile towards the East Sea, without giving details.
Shortly afterwards, the Japan Coast Guard also said an “object suspected to be a ballistic missile has been launched from North Korea.”
“Ships are advised to remain vigilant for further updates and, should they spot any falling debris, to keep their distance and report any relevant information to the Japan Coast Guard,” it added.
The Wednesday launches marked North Korea’s fourth and fifth known ballistic missile tests this year, including a salvo of around 10 fired from the Sunan area in March.
The Office of National Security at the presidential Blue House held an
Taiwan opposition leader says China visit to sow ‘seeds of peace’
Kyrgyz leader consolidates power in rocky Kyrgyzstan
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan—Kyrgyzstan
President Sadyr Japarov has spent months sidelining opponents, removing his key ally and cementing his grip on power in the historically volatile Central Asian state ahead of elections next year.
The landlocked country has gone through six presidents and three revolutions since its 1991 independence when the Soviet Union collapsed.
The mountainous republic of some seven million is an exception in Central Asia due to its rocky past and for being the most open and democratic nation in a region dominated by autocratic leaders. Japarov’s crackdown has changed that.
“What is happening is undoubtedly one of the most crucial turning points in Sadyr Japarov’s presidency,” Emil Dzhuraev, a professor at the OSCE
Academy in Bishkek, told AFP.
The most recent -- and significant -- development was the sacking of Jasparov’s security chief and long-time ally Kamchybek Tashiev in February.
The two had ruled in tandem with Japarov handling the economy and foreign policy, while Tashiev oversaw the arrests of foes and critical journalists.
They also represented different regional allegiances -- something Japarov said he now wants to “eradicate.”
Split by vast mountain ranges, Kyrgyzstan has long had a wealthier, secular north -- represented by Japarov -- and the less affluent south, where Tashiev was dominant.
The arrangement had worked well for Japarov until his shock move, with Tashiev accused of embezzling millions of dollars from the oil sector. AFP
NANJING, China—Taiwan’s opposition leader, a proponent of closer ties with Beijing, said on Wednesday she hoped to sow the “seeds of peace” during a rare visit to China.
Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman
Cheng Li-wun is the party’s first leader to visit China in a decade but her trip -- during which she hopes to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping -- has sparked debate in Taiwan.
Critics, including those within her own party which traditionally supports relations with China, have accused her of being too pro-Beijing.
China claims self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to seize it.
“I hope that today we plant the seeds of peace not only for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait, but for all humankind,” Cheng said on Wednesday, in comments broadcast by Taiwanese media.
She spoke during a symbolic visit to the eastern city of Nanjing, where she visited the mausoleum of revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen, one of the few Chi-
nese historical figures revered in both Beijing and Taipei.
Beefed-up security at the mausoleum prevented foreigners from entering, AFP journalists saw.
China severed high-level contact with Taiwan in 2016 after Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party won the presidency and rejected Beijing’s claims to the island.
Cross-strait relations have worsened since then, with China ramping up military pressure with near daily deployments of fighter jets and warships near Taiwan and regular largescale military drills.
However, Cheng said in a speech after her arrival on Tuesday evening that “the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not doomed to war, as the international community has feared”.
“Taiwan should not be reduced to a geopolitical pawn,” she said in a Facebook post, in an apparent reference to tensions between China and the United States, Taiwan’s main arms supplier.
Her visit, she added, would mark a “historic journey of peace”. AFP
emergency meeting over the launch, asking Pyongyang to immediately stop provocations.
“Given the ongoing war in the Middle East, (the office) instructed relevant agencies to exercise even greater vigilance in maintaining a state of readiness,” it said in a statement.
The office also “urged North Korea to immediately cease its ballistic missile launch, deeming it a provocative act that violates UN Security Council resolutions”, it added.
Following president Lee’s expression of regret over the drones on Monday, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Lee’s regret was “wise behaviour”.
“Our government appreciated it as very fortunate and wise behaviour for its own sake,” Kim Yo Jong said on Monday. AFP
IN BRIEF
France emissions cuts slow again
PARIS—France’s cuts to greenhouse gas emissions slowed for a second straight year in 2025 and remain well below what is needed to meet its climate goals, according to government-commissioned data published Wednesday. The slowdown comes as other major economies also struggle to make good on their promise to reduce planet-warming emissions, even as global average temperatures hover at near record highs. France’s emissions declined 1.5 percent from the previous year, said Citepa, a non-profit organisation tasked by France’s ecology ministry with tallying the country’s greenhouse gas inventory. “The downward trend in emissions is continuing, albeit at a slower pace,” Citepa said in a statement, but added that the reduction “remains insufficient” to meet France’s 2030 climate targets. France in December updated its pathway for
HK firm lodges arbitration vs. Maersk over Panama PANAMA CITY—A subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison said on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) it filed an arbitration against shipping giant Maersk, accusing the Danish group seeking to replace its operations in the Panama Canal. The Panama Ports Company said in a statement that Maersk broke a contract by siding with Panamanian authorities in a dispute over the waterway that saw a court annul in January the PPC’s rights to manage two key ports.
“Maersk undermined the contract and aligned with the Republic of Panama in connection with its State campaign against PPC and scheme to replace it through a takeover that installed new port operators,” the company said. The arbitration will be held in London, PPC said, adding that the claim against Maersk is separate from “ongoing steps by PPC to hold Panama to account for its anti-contract and antiinvestor conduct”.
The PPC said that since the takeover in January, a Maersk-affiliated port operator has utilised PPC facilities and information under a “pre-arranged concession contract” to manage the Balboa terminal. AFP
one “joint commission to an offence”, and three counts of aiding or abetting a murder. AFP
AUGUSTA — Rory McIlroy seeks a historic repeat victory starting Thursday at the 90th Masters, while world number one Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau lead a host of challengers in firm and fast conditions.
Second-ranked McIlroy completed a career Grand Slam by capturing the green jacket at Augusta National last year, but only Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods have won backto-back green jackets, Woods the most recent in 2001-2002.
“Maybe not the largest field in golf but it’s the strongest,” McIlroy said. “I know that I can do it now, so that should make it a little easier for me to go out and play the golf I want to play.”
McIlroy suffered an injury scare last month when back pain prompted his withdrawal at Bay Hill. But he competed the following week and has rested since.
“I’ve taken the last three weeks to make sure I’m 100 percent coming in here, which I am,” McIlroy said.
“I feel comfortable on the golf course, feel comfortable with my game. It has been a good three weeks at home getting ready physically and mentally and just trying to prepare for everything this week is going to throw at me.”
Scheffler, last year’s British Open and PGA Championship winner, has failed in two Masters repeat bids.
“Defending can always be difficult, but I think that’s mostly just the odds of winning a tournament in back-toback years,” Scheffler said. “That’s just extremely challenging, especially when you look at these major championships.”
Scheffler, the 2022 and 2024 Masters winner, has been off for three weeks as wife Meredith gave birth to son Remy
McIlroy seeks golf repeat at lightning-fast Augusta
on March 27.
“Game feels like it’s in a good spot,” Scheffler said. “I feel rested and ready to go this week.”
DeChambeau, who edged McIlroy for the 2024 US Open title, was in the final Sunday group last year at the
FEU closes in on playoff edge with win over La Salle
FAR Eastern University secured a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament with a hard-fought 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory over De La Salle University on Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Tamaraws had to overcome an uncharacteristic lapse in the second set before leaning on the heroics of Mikko Espartero, Dryx Saavedra, and Amet Bituin to inch closer to a coveted playoff incentive for the third consecutive season.
With the win, FEU also strengthened its hold on solo first place, improving to a 10-1 win-loss record and holding a one-game cushion over defending champion and second-placed National University (9-2).
“‘Yung team standing, hindi naman ‘yan ang goal talaga, siguro ‘yung each game na mangyayari, doon magmamatter ‘yung gusto namin mangyari. Kung titignan niyo ‘yung team standings, tignan natin ‘yung every
single day na papalapit doon sa goal na gusto sa amin. Siguro ‘yon ‘yung pinakafo-focusan namin na bagay,” Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.
Earlier, Ateneo defeated University of the Philippines, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-7, marking its sixth win in 11 matches.
Meanwhile, La Salle dropped to fifth place with a 5-6 record and will face the Blue Eagles in a match that carries major implications for the No. 4 slot on Saturday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
In the third set, FEU recovered from a slow start, turning a 10-12 deficit into a four-point lead at 19-15. Consecutive attacks by Luis Miguel, Bituin, and
QC Black Bulls take it
THE Quezon City Black Bulls aim for greatness in the upcoming eighth season of the MPBL, taking it one game at a time starting April 10 after a promising campaign in the preseason.
Team owner John Christopher Tan thanked Quezon City First District Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde for discovering the city’s homegrown top players, who just finished with a 4-4 win-loss slate in the preseason.
“So proud of all the players that played in the D1 League, and we are happy that we discovered them. Most of them have studied at Gardner College. They showed everyone that they are worthy
Masters when the Northern Ireland star made history.
“It’s great if we can continue to have a rivalry,” DeChambeau said. “It kind of helps create more buzz around the game of golf.
“It’s one of those things like I got
him at Pinehurst, he got me here, and I hope there’s more of those to come because it’s great for the game.”
DeChambeau, ranked 24th, won LIV Golf titles in Singapore and South Africa last month and likes speed at Augusta. AFP
1 game at a time ahead of MPBL Season 8
of playing in a high-level competitive pro league,” Tan said.
“I think this is the right time to aim for greatness and prove that they are ready for the MPBL.”
Asked about his expectations for the team, Tan said: “I expect that they will give their 100 percent, one game at a time, offensively and defensively, on both ends of the court. They will play their hearts out here.”
Scheffler juggles infant son, Masters preparation
AUGUSTA—Scottie Scheffler is getting plenty of sleep and practice time for this week’s Masters even with infant son Remy and his family at Augusta, although green jacket safety causes concern.
World number one Scheffler, seeking his third Masters title in five years and fifth major victory overall, has not played the past three weeks with wife Meredith giving birth to son Remy on March 27.
Scheffler has enjoyed being a dad again after two-year-old Bennett but realizes he must set aside family life to focus on this week’s challenge at Augusta National.
“Once you drive down Magnolia Lane, everything else melts away and you get to be here and be focused,” Scheffler said.
“This place is almost a challenge in a sense that you need to be able to get your stuff done and go home because I could camp out on that range for days and days and continue to practice.”
The 29-year-old American is the reigning British Open, PGA Championship and Olympic champion and can compete a career Grand Slam with a victory in June at the US Open.
This week, his wife’s caretaking is nearly as crucial as anything a caddie could offer on the course.
“I’m getting plenty of sleep. My wife is a trooper,” Scheffler said.
“Having a newborn is always an interesting thing, but Remy is so young right now, they sleep a lot of the day. I think he’s used to being in the womb at this point. Yeah, I’ve been able to get a decent amount of sleep.”
Scheffler, however, has had to help out, as when he was wearing his green jacket on Sunday while holding Remy as he walked into the Augusta National clubhouse. AFP
4 PVL teams, 1 dream – and no room
for mercy
THE die is cast in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals – and what lies ahead is less a tournament and more a war of attrition among four teams built differently but bound by a singular ambition: reach the Finals.
When action fires up Saturday at the MOA Arena, no squad will carry a definitive upper hand. Each brings its own strengths, each hides its own vulnerabilities – and in a grueling roundrobin format, every match becomes a high-stakes test of endurance, composure and adaptability.
Aside from Buena, Joson, Diokno, Arceo, Agoncillo, Lastra, and Salazar, the Black Bulls also have 6-foot-6 Jeff Morillo, Aldave Canoy, playmaker Ryan Costelo, Clark Derige, 6-foot-5 Jay Gadon, Kobe Monje, Aeron Marvin Bagunu, Kai Espinosa, Joe Benzon Joven, Bryan Rosalin, Charles Dela Cruz, Josh Roque, former Blackwater player Rey Publico, and Ammar Cosari on their roster.
He also praised the young lawmaker and actor for hosting a D1 League that helps the city’s grassroots level develop efficient talents from Quezon City and Gardner College like Pat Buena, MJ Joson, Kenz Diokno, Joeben Loria, Ryan Arceo, Jake Agoncillo, Gab Salazar, Nonon Lastra, among others. QC will be coached by rising head coach Jayv Olea.
One team seeks to reclaim supremacy. Another aims to cap a campaign with a storybook finish. A third embraces its breakthrough moment. The last looks to restore a dynasty. But labels will matter little once the first ball is served.
The 4 p.m. duel between Farm Fresh and Cignal pits emerging cohesion against battle-tested firepower.
The Foxies enter brimming with confidence after a dominant sweep of the Nxled Chameleons in the Play-In knockout – a performance that underscored not just their skill, but their growing belief.
Orchestrated by setter Alohi RobinsHardy and steadied by veterans Ces Molina and Royse Tubino, the Trisha Tubu-led squad is determined to sustain its surge and shake up the form book.
“Just preparing mentally and physically. I think being mentally ready and physically ready but also just, I think coming out the same way we did today. You know, balls to the walls like, literally go for everything. Positive energy. Chemistry on the court and I think we’ll be okay,” said Robins-Hardy after leading Farm Fresh past Nxled. But that momentum will be severely tested against a seasoned Cignal side, especially in pressure-packed moments where experience and composure often spell the difference.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland high-fives patrons as he walks to the 10th hole tee box during a practice round prior to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. AFP
FEU’s Charles Absin scores with a smash.
The Quezon City Black Bulls present their lineup and coaches, led by head coach Jayv Olea and team owner John Christopher Tan.
Charles Absin proved insurmountable for La Salle, giving the Tamaraws a crucial 2-1 sets advantage. La Salle fought to force a decisive
fifth set, staying within reach and even holding a slim 19-18 lead behind a block by Cameroonian middle blocker Issa Ousseini and an Espartero attack error.
EDGE BOL,
UP rallies past UST to make baseball Final 4
UNIVERSITY of the Philippines secured a UAAP Collegiate Men’s Baseball Final Four appearance, edging University of Santo Tomas, 8–7, in the playoff for the fourth and final semifinals spot on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
With the game tied at six runs apiece after the Golden Sox scored twice at the top of the seventh, the Fighting Maroons responded with key runs in the seventh and eighth innings to reclaim the lead, then held firm with a strong defensive stand in the ninth. Team captain Nano Asuncion drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh with a double to left-center, scoring Marvin Nalzaro, who had pinch-run for catcher Chinelle Manabat after she reached base on a walk from relief pitcher Eljin Mendoza. In the eighth, consecutive hits from co-captain Razhley Santos and Daniel Badrina set up additional scoring chances. LM Basañes brought home Santos with a short hit to third baseman Sean De Leon, who could not field it cleanly, but UST’s defense prevented further runs.
The Golden Sox threatened in the ninth, loading the bases after rookie Bokie Claro issued two walks, prompting Fighting Maroons head coach Iking Jimenez to send centerfielder Badrina to the mound.
Blazers force decider after surviving Cardinals’ mutiny SPORTS
COLLEGE of Saint Benilde refused to bow out and kept its championship hopes intact after outlasting Mapúa University, 25-18, 25-21, 22-25, 20-25, 159, in Game Two of the NCAA Season 101 Men’s Volleyball Finals on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
After seizing control with a commanding two-set advantage, Benilde looked poised to wrap things up early before Mapúa flipped the momentum in dramatic fashion.
The Intramuros-based squad mounted a fierce stand in the third set, stretching its cushion to as many as five points to spark belief.
Velasquez, Corpus elevated to Altas Seniors
OLSEN Racela, head coach of the University of Perpetual Help System
DALTA Altas, has added Kurt Velasquez and Jim Corpuz to the Senior Team as part of a 25-man pool gearing up for National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 102.
Velasquez and Corpuz were members of the NCAA Season 100 champion Junior Altas and now join fellow graduates JD Pagulayan, Jan Roluna, Aries Borja, Kelsey Baldoria, TJ Tabbuan, and Jericho Cristino on the senior roster. Racela also welcomed Echo Laure, a transferee from University of Santo Tomas. Currently serving a one-year residency, Laure will be eligible to play in #NCAASeason103 for a one-anddone stint.
Rookies Celdric De Guzman and Malachi Book are also included in the training pool. Dennis Abrina
That surge carried into the fourth, where the Cardinals built another five-point spread and reached set point at 24-19, capped by a sharp left-side hit from Barbie San Andres that forced a winner-take-all frame.
Benilde responded with urgency in the fifth, storming to an 11-4 start that put the pressure squarely back on Mapúa.
Though the Cardinals narrowed the gap to 12-7, the Blazers had already done enough to push the championship duel to its limit.
The rubber match for the crown is scheduled on Friday at the same venue.
Reymark Betco erupted for 33 points to power Benilde to its first victory over Mapúa this season, and it came at the most crucial time. Notably, the Blazers had dropped both of their elimination round meetings against the Cardinals.
Arhay Ramos finished with 20 points for Mapúa.
Badrina, who also had two hits and two RBIs on offense, showed composure and allowed only a single from Tim Caldo, which scored Ybbrahim Degollacion. Kevin Liwag tried to rally UST with a deep fly ball, but it was caught by Eman Javier, sealing the victory for the Diliman-based squad. The win also exorcised the Fighting Maroons’ two-season struggle to make the Final Four through the backdoor, including a heartbreaking loss to the same UST team in Season 86.
“Ito talaga, dagdag ko lang, talagang Holy Week, talagang sincere ‘yung mga bata na lumaro, lumaban talaga. So, ito ‘yung naging outcome. Proud ako sa team na kahit na hindi gano’n kadami ang key players ko, pero talagang proud ako. At least nakapasok kami sa semis; dumaan kami sa butas ng karayom, pero may butas pa rin ‘yung karayom, papasukin pa rin namin,” said Jimenez, reflecting on the team’s one-win first-round campaign.
Cabstars rally past Protectors, seize early semis edge
AEP-Cabstars’ Paul Malaiba
AEP-Cabstars overcame a wobbly start and showcased poise under pressure to outlast Alpha Insurance, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 29-27, and seize an early edge in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference round-robin semifinals on Wednesday at the Filoil Centre.
Games Friday
3 p.m. – Savouge vs Cabstars
5 p.m. – Criss Cross vs Alpha Insurance
After yielding the opening set, the Cabstars regrouped and responded with authority, dictating the tempo in the next two frames behind sharper execution and improved cohesion. But it was in the fourth set where their composure was truly tested –and ultimately defined their victory.
Clinging to a slim lead late in the set, the Cabstars found themselves in trouble after the Protectors mounted a fierce rally. Sparked by timely hits from Jau Umandal and Don Nadera, the Alpha Insurance erased a 20-22 deficit and surged to a 24-23 set point, threatening to force a decider.
However, momentum swung yet again.
Nadera’s costly service error tied the set at 24, opening the door for a tense exchange. Nas Gwaza then delivered a crucial block on Umandal to push the Cabstars ahead, 25-24. What followed was a
gripping back-and-forth battle, with neither side willing to yield as the set extended to 27-all. Jared Schnake broke the deadlock with a perfectly placed drop shot, but another service miscue kept Alpha Insurance within striking distance. In the end, it was newcomer Dave Lardizabal who rose to the occasion, firing a decisive running attack before Jay Rack De La Noche sealed the win with a clutch block on Edward Camposano.
The hard-fought one-hour and 52-minute triumph thus gave the Cabstars a 1-0 start in the semis. “Malaking factor ‘yung team building namin. Mas nakilala namin ang isa’t isa, at kahit skillful ang players, ‘yung connection namin ang talagang nagdala sa amin sa panalo,” said Cabstars head coach Kitty Antiporta, who credited the team’s chemistry for the strong showing.
Schnake led the charge with 23 points built on 22 attacks and an ace, while also anchoring the floor defense with 14 excellent receptions. De La Noche and Gwaza added 14 points each, with the latter contributing four blocks. Lardizabal impressed in his debut with 12 markers.
Nailga fires 66, powers Mindanao surge at JPGT Mactan
LAPU-LAPU City—Mindanao’s rising stars stamped their class early, overpowering their Visayas rivals in the boys’ division, while Cebu’s homegrown bets seized control of the girls’ side at the ICTSI Mactan Island Junior PGT Championship here on Wednesday.
Alexis Nailga turned in a commanding performance in sweltering heat and tricky greens, firing a two-under 66 to storm to a massive 10shot lead in the boys’ 15-18 division at the par-68 Mactan Island Golf Club.
The Bukidnon standout birdied six holes to offset a double bogey and two bogeys, showcasing the form that made him a dominant force in last year’s regional series of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
“I had trouble on the bunkers and greens, so I need to steady my driving and sharpen my recovery shots,” said the 16-year-old, who capped his round with three straight birdies from No. 14.
Nailga’s late surge, sparked by a long birdie putt on the par-3 14th, highlighted his 34-32 card and
underscored his bid for another strong campaign this season.
Ritchie Go struggled with a 76, while Sebastian Sajuela settled for a 78 to trail Nailga heading into the final two rounds of the 54-hole tournament.
In the boys’ 11-14 category, Ralph Batican battled through a shaky start but recovered late to card a 74 and grab a one-stroke lead over Ken Guillermo, who shot 75 highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 No. 15.
Mico Woo stayed within striking distance with a 77 as the division heads into its final round.
Despite taking the lead, Batican remained critical of his performance. “I didn’t play well overall. I tried to stay composed but couldn’t settle down,” he said. He pointed to a costly triple bogey on the par-3 16th after his tee shot landed on a rock and holed out with a 6.
“That hole really hurt my round. I need to stay focused and improve mentally,” he added.
The College of Saint Benilde Blazers rejoice after keeping their championship hopes alive.
Perpetual Help coach Olsen Racela (center) with Kurt Velasquez (left) and Jim Corpuz
Alexis Nailga Manny Marcelo
BUSINESS
Jobless rate in February 2026
5.8% 3.8%
Jobless rate in January 2026
Jobless rate in February 2025
By Thony Rose Lesaca
UNEMPLOYMENT rate climbed to 5.1 percent in February 2026 from 3.8 percent a year ago, as more adult Filipinos joined the labor force, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
This, however, declined from the 5.8-percent unemployment rate recorded in January this year.
The number of unemployed persons was estimated at 2.66 million in February 2026, up from 1.94 million Filipinos without jobs in February 2025. This, however, was down from 2.96 million in January 2026.
The labor force participation rate improved to 63.8 percent in February 2026, representing 52.09 million people aged 15 and over. This was an increase from the 50.89 million in the labor force in January 2026 and the 51.09 million recorded in February 2025.
GIR sank to 7-month low in March amid global fuel volatility
THE Philippines’ gross international reserves (GIR) fell to a seven-month low of $107.51 billion in March 2026 as foreign investments weakened and gold prices tumbled, according to data released late Tuesday by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
The latest figure represents a decline from $113.26 billion in February but remains slightly higher than the $106.67 billion recorded a year earlier. Preliminary data showed reserves grew 0.79 percent year-on-year, but contracted on a month-on-month basis amid simultaneous declines in most of the country’s external holdings.
Foreign investments dropped 3.92 percent to $80.9 billion in March from $84.20 billion in the previous month. The value of the country’s gold holdings also plunged 12.49 percent to $20.18 billion from $23.06 billion in February. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort attributed these declines to market volatility and lower global gold prices.
“The monthly decline [was] largely due to lower foreign investments [amid] market volatility that reflected the adverse effects of the war on the Middle East since February 28, 2026, and also lower world gold prices that reflected the decline in gold holdings,” Ricafort said in a Viber message, noting that gold prices fell 11.6 percent in March.
The country’s reserve position in the International Monetary Fund also fell 1.67 percent to $714.3 million from $726.4 million. Special drawing rights remained steady at $3.96 billion. Foreign exchange holdings rose 33.93 percent in March to $1.76 billion from $1.31 billion.
The BSP said the current reserve level provides a robust external liquidity buffer worth 7.1 months of imports of goods, service payments and primary income.
This also covers about 3.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on residual maturity. International reserves are generally considered adequate if they can finance at least 3 months of imports. Thony Rose Lesaca
Despite the rising jobless rate, total employment reached 49.4 million in February 2026, an increase of 271,000 from the previous year. The services sector drove the gains by adding 1.1 million jobs, which officials cited as a sign of resilience against global volatility.
Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the geopolitical crisis will continue to disrupt global and domestic economic conditions.
“Recent developments highlight the urgency to strengthen the resilience of our labor market. We must
ensure that our policies and programs respond effectively to rapidly changing global conditions, especially for affected and displaced Filipino workers here and abroad,” Balisacan said.
The employment rate stood at 94.9 percent, an improvement over the 94.2 percent seen in January but lower than the 96.2 percent posted in February 2025. In absolute terms, the number of employed persons reached 49.43 million, up from 47.94 million in the previous month and 49.16 million a year ago.
Underemployment, which counts workers who desire more hours or an additional job, was recorded at 11.8 percent. This is a decrease from 13.2 percent in January but higher than the 10.1 percent estimate in February 2025. Of the total 5.84 million underemployed individuals, 57.6 percent worked less than 40 hours a week, while 42.4 percent worked 40 hours or more.
The services sector continued to be the largest employer, accounting for 63.5 percent of the workforce. The agriculture and industry sectors followed with 18.8 percent and 17.7 percent, respectively. The specific sub-sectors of wholesale and retail trade, agriculture and forestry, and construction remained the top three employers.
To All Stockholders: As disclosed, the Board of Directors of ASIAN
Stocks climb; peso closes at 59.43 a dollar
By Jenniffer B. Austria
PHILIPPINE equities surged more than 2 percent Wednesday to close above the 6,000 level as global markets rallied following a two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index soared 132.04 points, or 2.22 percent, to 6,089.91. The broader all shares index advanced 65 points, or 1.94 percent, to 3,415.16. The peso also strengthened, closing at P59.43 against the U.S. dollar, up from P60.33 Tuesday.
Analysts said local equities climbed on global relief after the ceasefire led to a sharp decline in global fuel prices and a stronger peso.
AB Capital Securities noted that macroeconomic conditions remain cautious, however, as the March inflation rate hit a 20-month high of
4.1 percent.
“The sustainability of the rally will depend on clearer signs of de-escalation, particularly any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” AB Capital Securities said.
All sectors ended in positive territory, led by mining and oil, which jumped 6.86 percent. Property increased 4.4 percent and financials rose 2.2 percent.
Trading activity was robust, with value turnover at P7.22 billion. Foreign investors remained net sellers, with outflows totaling P437.4 million.
Ayala Land Inc. led index gainers,
THE economic crunch that every Filipino is facing now could spiral if fiscal choices are not weighed carefully.
The oil price shock presents a myriad of problems. Rising oil prices translate into higher transport costs, increased food prices and pressure on household budgets.
For ordinary Filipinos, global developments such as the war in Iran suddenly become basic kitchen issues. For the government, they will require a difficult fiscal judgement
The economic shocks would point to knee-jerk reactions such as targeted subsidies for transport drivers and support for the vulnerable sectors. The response, however, should be calibrated by fiscal discipline to avoid worsening inflation or debt pressures.
Such decisions require a careful balance between short-term relief and long-term economic sustainability.
Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, as the key liaison official of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., sits at the center of government decision-making, coordinating policies across agencies and ensuring that responses move quickly through the bureaucracy.
Recto’s fiscal expertise as a former lawmaker and finance chief is crucial in navigating difficult trade-offs. Economic crises rarely offer simple solutions.
Government assistance to affected sectors, for one, must be balanced with maintaining the country’s fiscal health.
rising 8.88 percent to P18.40. ACEN Corp. was the biggest decliner among index members, falling 1 percent to P3.
Oil prices plunged Wednesday while stocks soared after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that will see Tehran temporarily reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. With Donald Trump’s deadline approaching for the Islamic republic to reopen the waterway or face obliteration, he announced a halt to attacks for two weeks and said he had received a “workable” 10-point proposal.
Iran later said it had agreed to safe
passage in the Strait, through which a fifth of global oil and gas passes. The news pushed down crude prices, with West Texas Intermediate losing almost 20 percent and Brent as much as 16 percent as investors heaved a huge sigh of relief after more than five weeks of war that has hammered supplies.
The euphoria sent global equities rocketing on hopes the crisis that has shocked the global economy for more than a month will come to an end. Seoul jumped 6.9 percent and Tokyo 5.4 percent, while Taipei added more than four percent and Mumbai 3.8 percent. With AFP
…decisions require a careful balance between short-term relief and long-term economic sustainability.
Recto’s experience in taxation, budgeting and economic reform ensures that policy decisions remain both responsive and financially responsible.
Managing the economic impact of global crises requires close coordination among institutions, such as the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development. These agencies shape fiscal policy, spending priorities and economic planning.
Much of the real work of crisis management happens behind closed doors—not in political statements and announcements.
Technical expertise like that of Recto’s, thus, becomes particularly valuable in times of economic uncertainty, Governments, in sum, must respond to immediate pressures while safeguarding long-term economic stability.
With what is happening in the global space that leads to volatile markets and unpredictable events, Recto’s quiet job of fiscal management and policy coordination proves to be one of the most important forms of leadership.
Systematic game plan
Like Recto, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon is all business in handling the task at hand.
and overpriced projects.
Potholes that turn driving on a daily basis into zigzag road tests was one of the hallmarks of the DPWH. President Marcos himself exposed the corruption that has festered at the DPWH ever since its creation.
Right after the flood control project scandal, Dizon rolled up his sleeves and began ocular inspections to prepare the groundwork for public works projects. His ocular inspections came alongside announcements of major works on highways and roads during the Holy Week, with projects awarded only to qualified and well-reputed contractors.
Dizon also set his eyes on the Maharlika Highway. For years, the major highway sat in a pitiful condition with portions rendered too dangerous for travel. It took no time for major improvements to take shape and provide relief to millions using Maharlika, whether bus drivers and passengers, truckers, or private motorists.
A trip that used to take 12 to 14 hours to complete was cut in half. Fuel consumption, now teetering on the brink of extinction because of the Middle East conflict, became tolerable in Maharlika.
The full-scale rehabilitation of EDSA, the country’s busiest thoroughfare, is another major road project that will test the efficiency of the DPWH.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), a critical department in nation-building, was mired in corruption scandals, and known for failed, unfinished
Former Secretary Manuel Bonoan earlier wanted to shut down the major Metro Manila highway for two years to make way for the full-scale rehab. The original plan would have cost P17 billion. But Dizon had other plans. Work on EDSA, per Dizon, began on December 24, 2025 with the least disruption. Actual work started at night and ended at 4 a.m. the following day when traffic volume starts to build up.
Phase 1, or the stretch of Roxas Boulevard to Orense Street, was finished at a reduced cost of P6 billion, or less than
OPERATIONS.
BUSINESS RCBC raises P20.5b in ASEAN bond sale
significant damage to homes and displacing residents. VFI distributed essential goods to support immediate needs and aid the community’s initial recovery efforts.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) said Wednesday it raised P20.5 billion through its issuance of fixed-rate peso-denominated Series G ASEAN Sustainability Bonds due 2029.
RCBC said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange the bond issuance represents the largest peso bond sale for the lender to date.
The bonds carry a fixed coupon rate of 6.08 percent per annum and were listed on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. Strong demand from retail and institutional investors pushed the order book to more than four times the initial P5 billion target. RCBC closed the offer period on March 17, 10 days ahead of the original March 27 schedule, after reaching its final size in just 4 days.
The bank said it will use proceeds from the sale to finance or refinance green and social projects under its Sustainable Finance Framework. This reinforces the lender’s commitment to environmental and social initiatives.
The issuance is part of a P200-billion bond and commercial paper program. It marks the ninth time the bank has tapped the peso bond market since 2019, bringing its total issuances to P119.5 billion over the period.
RCBC said the high investor turnout “signifies continued investor confidence in the bank’s growth strategy and sustainability efforts.” Standard Chartered Bank and RCBC Capital Corporation, the joint lead arrangers and bookrunners, also served as the primary coordinators and selling agents for the transaction.
By Othel V. Campos
THE Philippines aims to reverse a recent decline in Chinese tourist arrivals by expanding visa-free access and increasing direct flights from major Chinese hubs, Department of Tourism (DOT) said. DOT officer-in-charge Secretary Verna Buensuceso met with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan to discuss strategies for improving travel flows.
Buensuceso identified the current visa-free entry arrangement for Chinese nationals as a primary driver for tourism and business travel through gateways in Manila and Cebu. The push for liberalization comes after official data revealed a 15.5-percent dip in Chinese visitor arrivals in 2025. Total arrivals fell to 262,144 last year from 314,000 in 2024. This follows a period of stronger growth in 2023 and 2024 as the market
began to recover from pandemic-related disruptions. To regain momentum, the government plans to extend visa-free access to additional Philippine gateways.
Buensuceso said the DOT is also working to strengthen air connectivity by launching and expanding direct routes from Chinese cities including Guangzhou and Chongqing to destinations such as Manila, Cebu, and Boracay.
“The easing of visa requirements has historically played a significant role in driving Chinese arrivals and enhancing people-to-people exchanges,” the DOT said in a statement.
The department also expects a rise in cruise ship arrivals to bring more Chinese tourists to various regions, which would provide a lift to local economies.
It said that maintaining convenient travel policies remains essential alongside the improvements to air and sea infrastructure.
Megaworld’s green building portfolio hits 32 with Iloilo tower certification
MEGAWORLD Corp. expanded its portfolio of green office buildings to 32 after its latest tower within Iloilo Business Park obtained Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the company said Wednesday.
The certification of the Enterprise Two office tower brings the total number of LEED-certified and registered office properties for Megaworld to 32, the highest in the Philippine real estate industry. Megaworld said the newly completed Enterprise Two office received the certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The company said it expects more certifications within the year as addi tional projects are currently registered under the LEED program. Enterprise Two is a 12-story office building located within the 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park. It is the second LEED Gold-certified office tower in Western Visayas, following Enter prise One, which was the first in the region to receive the certification. With a gross leasable area of around 39,000 square meters, the building is among the largest office develop ments for Megaworld in Western Vi
sayas. It features office floor plates of up to 4,000 square meters suitable for information technology and business process management firms expanding in the region.
The Megaworld portfolio of LEED Gold-certified office developments includes buildings across key townships in Taguig, Pasig, Bacolod, and Iloilo City. Its LEED Silver-certified towers are spread across major business districts nationwide.
Developed by the USGBC, LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. It provides a framework for designing and operating healthy, efficient, and cost-effective buildings whileEnterprise Two integrates severalter harvesting system, double-glazedciency and a reflective roof coating designed to reduce heat absorption.ter fixtures and supports sustainable transport through electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle racks and Jenniffer B. Austria
Manila Standard TODAY
RELIEF
Vivant Corporation, through its corporate social responsibility arm, Vivant Foundation Inc. (VFI), extends assistance to families affected by a fire that struck Barangay Ermita in Cebu City on April 4, 2026. The fire affected around 150 families, roughly 600 to 750 individuals, causing
Business group backs PH–China energy talks
By Michael Wong Ho
Jiangmen Museum honors
Filipino‑Chinese roots
MOST Filipino Chinese with ancestral roots in Guangdong province can trace their origins to the Wuyi region of Jiangmen, a historical hub now seeking to strengthen its cultural bridges with the Philippines.
Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas cited the strong interest from both governments and civil society in enhancing cultural exchanges.
He explored potential collaboration between the Manila Kaisa Heritage Center and the China Qiaodu Museum of Overseas Chinese, suggesting closer cooperation and shared exhibitions as an important bridge to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.
The museum, located in the Wuyi Overseas Chinese Plaza, is a national-level historical site occupying about 17,000 square meters. It houses some 40,000 artifacts related to overseas Chinese life, including remittance letters, passports and photographs sent by Wuyi overseas Chinese.
During a visit on March 30, Jiangmen City Foreign Affairs Office
Lucy Wang accompanied Manila Standard reporter Michael Wong Ho to the facility to commemorate
the immigrant struggles of Filipino Chinese ancestors. Museum narrator Lv Qi introduced the exhibition theme, “Roots in the Hometown of Overseas Chinese,” noting that the Wuyi district is known as “China’s No. 1 Overseas Chinese Hometown.”
About 5.36 million overseas Chinese with roots in Wuyi live across 145 countries and territories. While many reside in the United States and Cana-
them to cultivate Chinese
and operated restaurants and hotels. In Manila, they were active in furniture manufacturing and marketing.
Over generations, these migrants have become an integral part of the Filipino family, even as some later migrated to North America. Throughout modern history, Wuyi overseas
BIR urges early tax filing at FFCCCII seminar
By Julie Ann Lope
BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR)
Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza urged business leaders to file their tax returns ahead of the April 15 deadline to avoid technical issues and a last-minute rush.
Speaking at a tax seminar held at the Federation Center in Binondo on March 17, Mendoza said early declaration ensures the taxation system serves all stakeholders effectively.
The event, organized by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc (FFCCCII), aimed to align the private sector with the government’s latest
Groups launch award to honor top mayors
TWO prominent business and philanthropic organizations have launched a new award to recognize Philippine city mayors who have demonstrated exceptional governance and economic leadership over the past 6 years.
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) and the Angelo King Foundation Inc. (AKFI) finalized a partnership on March 17, 2026, to establish the Exemplar City Mayor Award.
AKFI president Teddy Kingsu and FFCCCII president Victor Lim signed a memorandum of cooperation during a visit to the federation headquarters by Kingsu and AKFI Chairman Ernesto Garilao. The award targets incumbent city mayors currently serving their 3rd consecutive term in the same city. This criteria ensures that nominees possess a proven track record of stability and progress within their jurisdictions.
Lim said the search focuses on leaders who have successfully institutionalized transparency, financial sustainability, economic resilience and human development. Michael Wong Ho
fiscal policies.
“This is the main purpose of my visit—to connect with industry leaders, listen to your insights, and do our best to support you and make your business operations easier,” Mendoza said.
FFCCCII president Victor Lim expressed appreciation for the bureau’s recent efforts to modernize tax administration. Lim noted the issuance of Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 1-2026 and accompanying guidelines designed to strengthen the bureau’s audit and reform framework.
Lim said the seminar provided a platform for attendees to raise concerns and engage directly with BIR leadership as they navigate the cur-
rent tax filing season.
Mendoza acknowledged the role of the FFCCCII in fostering cooperation between the public and private sectors, noting that staying updated on legal reforms is essential for a competitive business landscape.
“By declaring early, we avoid unnecessary problems and ensure the taxation system serves everyone better,” Mendoza said.
The BIR has been implementing various digital reforms to streamline the filing process, though officials continue to remind taxpayers that early submission remains the best defense against potential system congestion.
PH seeks to boost farm, mineral exports to China
THE Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou is intensifying efforts to increase the export of agricultural and mineral products to China following a strategic meeting with the Canton Enterprise Import and Export Chamber of Commerce (CECOC).
Philippine Consulate general economic officer and consul Stephanie Alexis Cruz and Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) officials led by vice consul Froilan Pamintuan met with CECOC secretary general Jiang Mengmin on March 20 to discuss trade expansion and investment
Most Filipino Chinese with
Chinese have supported hometown development and participated in national causes, including the anti-fascist struggle in both China and the Philippines. The museum also honors those who sacrificed their lives while working in mines and building the transcontinental railroad in the United States, illustrating the broad impact of the 5.36 million-strong diaspora. Michael Wong Ho
THE Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) said it supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s move to resume talks on joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea, saying the initiative reflects a “mature and pragmatic” approach to balancing territorial concerns with economic cooperation.
In a statement, FFCCCII president Victor Lim said the move comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and volatile global energy markets, emphasizing the importance of balancing territorial concerns with economic cooperation.
“We firmly believe that practical cooperation in energy security offers a viable pathway to securing a stable, affordable and sustainable energy future.” Lim said.
The group also called on all stakeholders to support the President’s approach, saying it is a means to foster national stability and economic resiliency amid uncertain global conditions.
Business chamber supports PNP‑AKG Mandarin training
THE Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) has strengthened its partnership with the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) by sponsoring specialized Mandarin language training to improve investigative capabilities.
The collaboration was a central theme during the PNP-AKG 14th anniversary ceremony held at Camp Crame on March 19. Officials recognized the federation for its role in bridging communication gaps during high-stakes rescue operations involving Chinesespeaking individuals.
PNP-AKG Director Police Brigadier General Glicerio Cansilao lauded the long-standing support of the FFCCCII, specifically citing its sponsorship of 1-year basic Mandarin training at Huaqiao University in China. Cansilao said the language training has been instrumental in
enabling officers to communicate directly with Chinese victims during kidnapping investigations.
The anniversary event, themed “AKG: Alalay, Kaagapay, at Gabay ng Mamamayan-Tungo sa Serbisyong Tapat, Mabilis, at Nararamdaman sa Pagliligtas ng Buhay sa Bagong Pilipinas,” highlighted the unit’s commitment to swift and compassionate service.
FFCCCII vice president Jose Go attended the ceremony alongside other federation staff. During the proceedings, PNP-AKG deputy director for administration Colonel Jonathan Calixto outlined the unit’s primary functions and recent achievements in a video message. Calixto noted that multiple kidnapping arrests have been made in 2026 and confirmed that a graduation ceremony was held for personnel who completed the sponsored Mandarin courses. Michael Wong Ho
ancestral roots in Guangdong province can trace their origins to the Wuyi region of Jiangmen, a historical hub now seeking to strengthen its cultural bridges with the Philippines.
da, Jiangmen ancestors settled in the Philippines long ago. In Baguio, early migrants married local women, taught
vegetables
BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza urges FFCCCII members to file taxes early during a seminar in Manila, highlighting reforms and the April 15 deadline.
The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry sponsors Mandarin language training for the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group to enhance investigations involving Chinese nationals.
MIAS 2026: Powering Mobility for the Future of the Automotive Industry
THE drive towards mobility starts now! Following the successful celebration of its 20th anniversary, Worldbex Services International (WSI), the organizer of the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), proudly announces the return of MIAS this coming April 9 to 12, 2026, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Once again, the country’s premier automotive event will take center stage, bringing together leading automotive brands and placing innovation, performance, and mobility in the spotlight.
For over two decades, MIAS has continuously showcased the best of the automotive industry, underscoring its vital role in
mobility, constantly pushing boundaries through innovation, technology, and design. With the 2026 theme being “Powering Mobility”, MIAS honors this forward driven movement by celebrating the advancements that continue to propel the industry into the future.
Recognized as the leading
attracting over 170,900 visitors.
The event featured more than 145 exhibitors across 33,000 sqm of exhibit space and showcased over 310 cars, trucks, and motorcycles throughout the weekend. Building on this momentum, WSI aims to elevate the MIAS experience in 2026 by delivering a larger platform, bolder showcases, and
The main highlight of MIAS 2026 is the Mobility Marathon, a dynamic series of vehicle launches where participating brands will unveil their latest models and technological innovations to the public for the first time. Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience these vehicles firsthand at the Test Drive Avenue.
showcasing rare and distinctive collectible die-cast models; and the Car Club Display, where passionate automotive communities from across the Philippines present their prized vehicles.
To further energize the event, MIAS will once again host signature competitions such as the MIAS Petron Custom and Classic Car Competition, in partnership with Petron, celebrating outstanding classic and customized vehicles across various categories. The event will also feature Ms. MIAS, a pageant highlighting representatives from participating automotive brands to showcase their beauty and grace. With innovation, mobility, and passion at its core, the Manila International Auto Show is set to drive the automotive industry forward—bringing the future of mobility closer to the public than ever before. MIAS 2026 is happening from April 9 to 12, 2026, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. You can get your tickets now at https://manilaautoshow. com/ MIAS 2026 is an event organized
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal blur the lines in ‘In The Grey’
CREAZION Studios International will release the action-thriller In The Grey in Philippine cinemas beginning May 13, expanding its distribution efforts in Southeast Asia.
The film stars Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal and is directed by Guy Ritchie. It follows rogue operatives Sid and Bronco, described as “good” bad guys, who are tasked with recovering billions from a despot but become entangled in a widening conflict driven by deception and survival.
CreaZion Studios International, the global distribution arm of CreaZion Studios Inc., said the film reflects its effort to bring internationally produced content to local audiences.
Chief executive Anter “RJ” Agustin said the company aims to deliver films that connect with audiences across markets. He described In The Grey as a characterdriven project designed to appeal to a broad audience.
Real S. Florido, chief content officer of the company, said the film blends action and humor through the dynamic between its lead characters. He added that the studio continues to focus on titles that are entertaining and accessible to viewers.
CreaZion Studios International serves as the distribution arm for both international and select local films and has been expanding its presence in Southeast Asia with a range of releases.
Viral British-Filipina artist reimagines OPM
Very Wang Nickie Wang
AT just 24, AndreaH, a BritishFilipina singer-songwriter, has already accomplished what many take decades to achieve. She began writing music at 13, released songs online at 16, worked as a concert promoter in Hong Kong producing shows for international artists, and has opened for global acts including Sam Smith and The Script
Now, AndreaH is turning her focus to the Philippines, armed with her multicultural experiences and musical talents.
AndreaH has released her English rendition of “Tahanan,” originally popularized by El Manu. The song captures a slowburning love story between two people who experience almost-butnot-quite moments, only to be reunited by fate.
Her version broadens the song’s meaning, allowing it to be dedicated to anyone who feels like home. Early teasers prompted listeners to see it as a peaceful, contemplative track—some even considering it a potential worship song.
Born in the Philippines and raised in Thailand, AndreaH has also spent significant time in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. She understands Tagalog, though she is actively learning to speak it fluently to reconnect with her Filipino roots and communicate with her grandmother, who is living with dementia and has almost forgotten English. Her cultural journey is intertwined with personal growth, family, and identity, enriching her music with authenticity.
AndreaH first gained widespread attention online with a viral TikTok cover of “Multo” by Cup of Joe, the longest-running No. 1 song in Spotify Philippines history. The video has garnered over 17 million views and earned recognition from Gian Bernardino, one of the band’s vocalists, who reposted her rendition. This exposure helped put her on the radar of Philippine audiences and record labels alike.
Apart from performing, AndreaH has experience composing and writing lyrics for other artists. She describes her years in the industry as a full-circle journey—from producing shows to taking the stage herself. She also advocates for mental health, sharing her experiences with ADHD and exploring the connection between music and psychological well-being.
Recently, AndreaH signed with Viva Music Group under its Ivory Music label, the largest music group in the Philippines. Through this partnership, she released her English version of “Tahanan” on March 27, now available on all digital streaming platforms.
The track, she said, continues her mission of bridging cultures and giving beloved OPM songs new life for global audiences.
THE venue that hosted The Beatles’ only concerts in Japan has released long-forgotten photos of the legendary British band six decades after the gigs.
At the height of Beatlemania in 1966, when the quartet was the world’s most famous pop group, The Beatles staged five summer performances in Tokyo in front of screaming fans. Crowds reportedly thronged their hotel, where they stayed in the finest suite.
In 2009, more than 100 photos shot during the gigs “were discovered on a shelf” inside an office at the concert venue Nippon Budokan, the arena’s operator told AFP The 19 rolls of negative film—reportedly wrapped in paper and labeled in a way suggesting they belonged to Japanese newspaper the Yomiuri Shimbun—remained “stored as they were” until recently, the operator said in a statement.
As the 60th anniversary of the Japan tour approached, the venue operator asked a Beatles expert to examine the negatives, and “his
assessment revealed that the photos appear to have never been published” in newspapers or other media.
Among the photos released by the concert venue is a shot of John Lennon smiling beside a Japanese doll resembling a figurine featured on the album cover of the 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The global stars were under tight security during their visit, but the doll may have been purchased during a hurried shopping trip, the Yomiuri Shimbun daily said. The newspaper is investigating who took the photos and why the negatives had been kept in Nippon Budokan despite being wrapped in paper labeled “The Yomiuri Shimbun archives room,” it said.
The photos capture “the atmosphere of that one and only Japan tour—now remembered as a historic event—as well as various moments from their stay in Japan,” the Nippon Budokan statement said. AFP
NATION’S Girl Group BINI is set to make its highly anticipated debut at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this Saturday, April 11, at 7:15 a.m. Philippine time, taking Philippine pop on the global stage. Fans worldwide can watch the performance for free via the Mojave Stage livestream on Coachella’s YouTube channel. The group— Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena —is expected to showcase Philippine music at one of the world’s largest music festivals in Indio, California.
BINI will return for a second performance on April 18, Philippine time.
The Coachella debut comes just days after
the release of BINI’s new EP, Signals , which drops today, April 9, at 9:00 p.m. Philippine time. The six-track project includes new songs “Blush,” “Tic Tac Toe,” “Sugar Rush,” and “Step Back,” alongside previously released singles “Unang Kilig” and “Honey Honey,” which have already earned over three million and two million streams on Spotify, respectively.
BINI’s momentum continues with an upcoming appearance at the GRAMMY Museum’s Global Spin Live on April 21. The group also recently performed at an NBA game celebrating Filipino Heritage Night hosted by the Los Angeles Clippers on March 31.
Henry Cavill (left) and Jake Gyllenhaal star in an action thriller centered on rogue operatives, survival, and shifting loyalties
The British-Filipina singer-songwriter releases an English version of OPM hit ‘Tahanan’ that opens the song to new meanings and listeners
From left: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and John Lennon performing in Tokyo in 1966 at the height of Beatlemania
By Angelica Villanueva
AS wearable technology increasingly integrates into daily health habits, the digital healthcare platform mWell is presenting its newest devices as instruments not only for ease but also for expanding access to healthcare.
Expanding access to preventive healthcare
mWell launches wearables to monitor health metrics
During a recent product demonstration, mWell introduced the newly launched mWellness Wearables, which include smartwatches and rings aimed at assisting users in monitoring important health metrics while remaining connected to the platform’s telemedicine services.
The initiative is part of a global trend towards preventive healthcare, where devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches are increasingly used to monitor activity, sleep, and heart health.
In the Philippines, interest is also rising, with the wearable market growing by 23.7 percent as of late 2022. Still, adoption remains limited, largely due to cost.
“Any brand of wearables, you can pair it with the mWell app. But what about the mainstream Filipino who can only afford P2,000 to P4,000? This is the answer,” said Gary Dujali mWell chief marketing officer.
The mWellness collection features various smartwatch models and a small smart ring, all created to monitor details like heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep, and everyday activity. A unique ECGenabled ring, noted as the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, provides more detailed information about heart health.
All devices integrate with the mWell app, where users can view their data through a “wellness score,” a simplified measure that reflects overall health based on activity, rest, and vital signs.
While demonstrating, Dujali also explained that everyday habits like sitting for long periods or not getting enough sleep can impact the score.
Routine errands now double as health checks
By Jasper Valdez
MANY people living with diabetes do not know they have it until complications begin to show. By then, the condition is harder to manage and often requires more intensive care.
“It is a silent killer. It is mostly asymptomatic,” said Dr. Fatma Tiu of Diabetes Philippines. “Most of the patients come to us because of the complications already.”
A partnership between Diabetes Philippines and Watsons Philippines is trying to change that by bringing screening and basic care into places people already visit. The two organizations formalized the effort through a memorandum of agreement signed on March 27 under the STOP Diabetes initiative.
Instead of relying only on hospitals and clinics, the program introduces free consultations, blood
sugar screening, and pharmacistled guidance in selected Watsons branches.
“At Watsons, we’re committed to making healthcare more accessible and actionable,” said Watsons director for health Cecille Uy. “Through our partnership with Diabetes Philippines, we’re strengthening not only education and advocacy, but also services that customers can actually use.”
Customers in participating branches can access blood sugar checks, pharmacist counseling, and referrals to doctors, allowing care to become part of routine visits.
The approach responds to a gap that has persisted for years— many cases go undetected until symptoms become difficult to ignore. By placing screening in more accessible locations, the program aims to catch cases earlier and connect patients to proper care.
“Watsons is everywhere, in
almost every corner of the country,” Tiu said, pointing to the reach that allows services to extend beyond traditional healthcare settings.
The setup also builds on efforts to expand the role of pharmacists. Through training with Diabetes Philippines, pharmacists are prepared to answer questions, guide medication use, and help patients understand their condition.
“Our pharmacists are ready to lead communities through one-onone counseling, medication guidance, and product recommendations that fit each customer’s needs and budget,” Uy said.
“The pharmacists are not just there to give medicines. They have to be knowledgeable so they give out the right information,” Tiu added.
If more people start getting screened during routine errands, early detection may no longer depend on waiting for symptoms to appear.
He mentioned that “sitting down is the new form of smoking,” highlighting how minor actions can build up into bigger health dangers. In addition to gathering health data, the platform enables users to link with a broader healthcare network. The app provides telemedicine services around the clock, giving patients the opportunity to consult more than 3,700 doctors in 42 different fields, obtain prescriptions, and view medical records, all through one unified system.
For mWell, the wearables are part of a broader effort to address gaps in healthcare access, particularly outside urban centers.
“Six out of 10 Filipinos die without ever seeing a doctor,” Gary said, pointing to disparities in remote areas where patients often travel long distances for basic consultations. “That’s the purpose why we have mWell.”
By combining affordable devices with digital services, the platform aims to make health monitoring more consistent and accessible. Users can track their condition daily and, when needed, transition seamlessly to professional care.
As wearable technology advances, mWell’s strategy highlights an increasing focus on combining daily tools with healthcare systems, motivating users to shift from reacting to health issues to adopting more proactive, data-based habits.
“At the end of the day, we’re not just selling a watch or a ring. There’s a deeper purpose in what we do,” Dujali stated.
Philippines braces for sweltering summer heat
FROM March to May, the Philippines enters its hot, dry season, with some of the year’s highest temperatures, heat indices, and ultraviolet (UV) levels.
This March, urban areas have already recorded elevated temperatures, with heat index readings reaching the “Extreme Caution” range of 33°C to 41°C, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Government agencies are stepping up precautions as heat risks rise. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has reinforced its Heat Stroke Break Policy to protect field personnel working outdoors. Prolonged exposure to high heat can affect daily functioning and overall health. Mild heat-related conditions include heat rash and muscle cramps, while more severe cases, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, can disrupt the body’s ability to regulate temperature and require immediate medical attention.
Intense sunlight also raises UV exposure, a factor linked by the World Health Organization to skin damage
and long-term health risks. Despite the hazards, summer remains a highly anticipated season. Filipinos flock to beaches, staycations, and outdoor activities during school breaks and holidays, increasing their exposure to heat, UV radiation, and urban pollution—factors that can strain energy, metabolism, and skin health.
To help address these challenges, LAC Philippines offers supplements designed to support both body and skin wellness. Products include a formula that helps with fat metabolism and energy by mixing MCTs with plant extracts, along with a sun defense supplement made with Golden Tomato powder, Vitamin C, and antioxidants to lessen skin sensitivity and protect against sun damage and early aging.
Health experts emphasize that proactive care—from hydration and rest to nutritional support—is essential during the sweltering months. By supporting energy, metabolism, and skin resilience,
can enjoy outdoor adventures safely while staying comfortable
the summer sun.
Filipinos
under
Dr. Fatma Tiu (left) and Watsons director for health Cecille Uy formalize a partnership that brings diabetes screening and guidance closer to Filipinos
As the hot season sets in, staying cool and protected becomes part of Filipinos’ everyday health habits
The company’s chief marketing officer, Gary Dujali, outlines how connected devices fit into a broader push to make healthcare more accessible for Filipinos
The smart ring expands the platform’s lineup of digital tools aimed at supporting daily health tracking
Filipino EV Taxi Operators Deploy Hundreds of Electric Taxis on GrabTaxi Electric as Fuel Costs Surge
Multi-operator partnership gives commuters wider access to safe, reliable, fully electric rides while demonstrating that Filipino-owned fleets can lead the shift to more sustainable urban transport
FILIPINO electric-vehicle taxi operators – EV Taxi Corporation, EnviroCab, TaxiKo Transport Services, KateMikylla, CMAIII, ManilaTrans Taxi Corp, and Sun & Bin Transportation Corporation, have activated hundreds of hybrid and electric taxi units on GrabTaxi Electric.
The expansion comes as fuel prices continue to climb sharply across the Philippines, putting added pressure on operators of combustionengine fleets. In early March alone, the Department of Energy flagged possible pump price hikes of P17.50 to P24.25 per liter for diesel and P7 to P13 per liter for gasoline, marking the ninth straight weekly increase for gasoline at the time. For fleet operators running traditional taxis, these swings translate directly into tighter margins and less predictable daily earnings.
Electric vehicles, by contrast, offer a fundamentally different cost structure. Operators say electric taxis, even before the latest surge in oil prices, were already running at roughly 75% to 87% lower cost per kilometer than a typical internal-combustion taxi. In the current environment, this gives EV taxi operators a more stable, more resilient, and more sustainable business model.
For the participating operators, GrabTaxi Electric provides more than digital visibility. By activating on Grab’s platform, Filipino-owned EV taxi fleets gain direct access to millions of on-demand commuters – the kind of consistent, high-volume demand that is difficult to generate through streethail alone. Several operators report that on-demand bookings through GrabTaxi Electric now account for more than 80% of their average daily transactions, demonstrating that platform-matched demand materially improves fleet utilization.
The partnership also advances the objectives of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA/ RA11697), which promotes expedited LTFRB franchise processing for EV public utility vehicles. The LTFRB has
previously affirmed its support for accelerating the transition of taxi fleets to electric vehicles as part of the government’s broader transport modernization and clean energy agenda.
“When we invested in an allelectric fleet, the challenge was never the vehicle. It was the demand.
Street-hail alone could not sustain the utilization rates we needed to make this business work. Activating on GrabTaxi Electric changed the equation. We now have a reliable stream of on-demand bookings that keep our units productive across the day. For a Filipino operator, that is the difference between an EV fleet that survives and the one that scales. We are proud that this is a partnership built on local operators and Filipino enterprise, not foreign capital,” said Eric Ke, Chief Mobility Strategist of EV Taxi Corp. How to Book GrabTaxi Electric Passengers open the Grab app and enter their pick-up and dropoff points as they would for any regular Grab ride. From the Transport tab, they select the vehicle options
When the EV stars align: Vinfast’s weekend record hints at what an inflection point could look like in the Philippines
A SINGLE Saturday with 3,520 orders reveals how ecosystem-building can turn interest into action without the usual triggers seen in the auto industry.
In the auto industry, high-volume sales days are usually tied to specific triggers such as festive buying periods, quarter-end pushes, or coordinated discount campaigns designed to compress demand into a short window. Once those conditions pass, volumes typically return to baseline.
But there is something different, even if subtle, about a day when a total of 3,520 electric vehicle orders was fully processed by VinFast on March 28, 2026, all within a single Saturday and without any dedicated promotional campaign tied to the date. The March 28 result stands apart because it was not engineered, or at least not in a way that compressed demand into a short, highly managed timeframe.
What makes the result more notable is the way it unfolded. The orders came in steadily throughout the day rather than clustering around a specific time window, averaging roughly 146 vehicles per hour, or about 2.4 vehicles per minute. By the end of the day, all orders had been processed and vehicles were ready to leave the factory, indicating not only strong demand but also the operational capacity to absorb and execute at that pace. In practical terms, this suggests a system that is already calibrated to handle volume, rather than one reacting to a temporary surge.
External factors played a role, particularly the spike in global fuel prices in early March 2026, which sharpened cost considerations for many drivers. However, price pressure alone rarely converts into sustained purchasing activity unless the broader environment makes the switch to electric vehicles practical. What this moment illustrates is a more fundamental dynamic: when the groundwork has been laid consistently over time, results tend to appear less as isolated spikes and more as the natural outcome of accumulated effort.
In Vietnam, that groundwork has been built by VinFast over several years through a combination of charging infrastructure expansion, dense service coverage, and ownership policies that reduce uncertainty for new users. Incentives such as financial support for customers transitioning from gasoline vehicles and extended free charging programs have helped make EV ownership more predictable in daily use.
Another significant part of VinFast’s EV ecosystem-building effort has come through V-Green, its global charging infrastructure partner, which has planned 150,000 charging ports across 34 provinces and cities nationwide. Beyond everyday charging access, V-Green is also deploying 99 ultra-fast charging hubs rated at 150 kW along major national and provincial highways, a network designed to make longer journeys as practical as urban commutes.
for their route, then scroll to the Taxi section and toggle to “Electric taxi.” Fares follow LTFRB-regulated metered taxi rates.
GrabTaxi Electric is currently in beta, rolling out across Metro Manila hubs including Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Pateros, Marikina, Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasay, and select areas of Paranaque and Quezon City. Grab has also announced plans to expand its eco-mobility strategy to regional cities, including Cebu and Davao, as EV taxi adoption accelerates nationwide.
Grab said the partnership reflects its role in connecting commuters to transport options that are both practical and forward-looking. “Grab is proud to serve as a bridge between the riding public and the Filipino operators who are leading the shift to electric mobility,” shares Gines Barot, Grab Philippines General Manager for Mobility. “What makes this partnership distinct is that it is driven by local entrepreneurs who made the decision to invest in EV fleets and chose Grab as their platform to reach commuters at scale. Our role is to make sure they succeed by providing
the demand, the technology, and the trust infrastructure that turns EV investment into a viable business. As fuel costs continue to rise, we believe that this model points the way forward: Filipino-owned, platformpowered, and built around a transport future that is more sustainable and more resilient.”
Safety and Trust
Both passengers and drivers of GrabTaxi Electric can access to the full suite of safety features Grab has long been known for, including AudioProtect for secure in-ride audio capture during safety incidents, Trip Monitoring for detecting unusual disruptions along a journey, Share Your Ride for live trip sharing with trusted contacts, Emergency Assistance tools within the Safety Center for faster support, and insurance programs that provide added protection on the road. GrabTaxi Electric driver-partners, meanwhile, can also benefit from Grab’s robust incentive ecosystem and other targeted earning mechanisms designed to help support viable earnings.
What Comes Next
The multi-operator deployment on GrabTaxi Electric represents the demand side of the electric transition: proving that EV taxis can earn on-platform at commercially viable levels. Grab Philippines is also working across its broader ecosystem to make electric vehicles more accessible for the next wave of drivers and operators who want to make the switch.
Manila International Auto Show 2026 expands with new venue, major launches, and next-level automotive experiences
THE Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) returns on April 9–12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, with the Philippine Trade Training Center joining as a new official venue for MIAS 2026. Proceeds from MIAS 2026 will benefit ABSCBN Foundation Inc., reinforcing the show’s commitment not only to automotive excellence but also to social responsibility.
The addition of the Philippine Trade Training Center contributes over 3,000 square meters of expanded exhibition floor space—opening nearly 100 additional vehicle display slots and significantly elevating the scale of the country’s most anticipated motoring and driving event.
Since its launch in 2005, MIAS has defined the standard for automotive exhibitions in the Philippines. In 2025 alone, the show welcomed more than 170,900 visitors, uniting
international brands, industry leaders, collectors, and enthusiasts in one high-energy celebration of mobility, innovation, and performance. At the heart of MIAS 2026 is the much-awaited Mobility Marathon, the show’s signature back-to-back vehicle launch platform. This year’s lineup reflects the rapid evolution of the automotive landscape, with major international and emerging brands unveiling their latest models and mobility solutions.
Notable participants include: AITO, BAIC, BESTUNE, BMW,
CHANGAN, CHERY, DEEPAL, DENZA, DFSK, FOTON, GAC, GEELY, GWM, JETOUR, KIA, LOTUS, LYNK & CO, MG, MINI, OMODA, JAECOO, RADAR, ROX, and 212 are the global brands set to debut their newest models and electric vehicles as part of the event’s Mobility Marathon—showcasing advancements in electric mobility, intelligent technology, dynamic performance, and modern design. Complementing the launches is the crowd-favorite Car Club Display, where passionate local car clubs exhibit an impressive range of vehicles—from meticulously preserved stock units to bold, head-turning custom builds— celebrating the depth and creativity of Filipino car culture. The MIAS – Petron Custom & Classic Car Competition returns as a thrilling people’s choice knockout tournament. Exceptional restorations and custom masterpieces compete bracketstyle, culminating in a grand finale that honors automotive artistry and engineering excellence.
BYD,
Representatives of the seven Filipino EV taxi operators activated on GrabTaxi Electric. The partnership puts hundreds of locally owned electric taxis on the Grab platform, offering commuters a