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Volume 37 - No. 10 • 12 Pages
MARCH 6 - MARCH 12, 2026 www.asianjournal.com • Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879 • 2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109
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Philippines on alert as Marcos orders DATELINE USA protection measures for Filipinos amid Middle States sue Trump administration over new global tariffs imposed East escalation; confirms first Filipino fatality FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
by AJPress
under trade law
Dispute centers on the administration’s use of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, a rarely invoked provision allowing temporary import surcharges of up to 15 percent.
MANILA — Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered heightened protection measures for Filipinos in the Middle East as hostilities escalate in the region, while confirming the first reported Filipino fatality linked to
the ongoing conflict. In a March 1 video message released through official government channels, the President identified the victim as Mary Anne Velazquez Rivera, a caregiver from Pangasinan who had been working in Israel. According to the report received by Philippine
House panel serves impeachment notice to VP by Jose Rodel Clapano
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A coalition of 24 jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia, filed a lawsuit on March 5, 2026, challenging global tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, arguing that the administration exceeded its authority under federal trade law. The complaint was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York and seeks to block tariffs that could reach up to 15 percent on imported goods from many u PAGE 3
Philstar.com
IRS chief declines to answer questions on taxpayer data disclosures to ICE Lawmakers press the Internal Revenue Service during a congressional hearing after a federal judge ruled the agency improperly disclosed taxpayer address information to immigration authorities. Separate court decisions in February addressed different aspects of the dispute. WASHINGTON — The head of the Internal Revenue Service declined to answer detailed questions from lawmakers about the agency’s disclosure of taxpayer information to immigration authorities during a congressional hearing this week, citing ongoing litigation and events that occurred before his tenure. u PAGE 3
FUEL PRICE HIKE. A motorist fills up at a gas station in Barangay Dumoy, Talomo District, Davao City on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 as fuel prices rise nationwide. Current pump prices in the area are PHP55.95 per liter for diesel, PHP54.85 for regular gasoline, and PHP54.95 for premium. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.
Women’s rights advocates ask the House ethics panel to review remarks by Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay during a congressional hearing that referenced actress Anne Curtis, drawing public criticism and raising questions about standards of conduct in the legislature. by AJPress MANILA — Women’s rights advocates have filed an ethics complaint before the Philippine House of Representatives
Leadership change at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security follows congressional scrutiny of agency programs as Kristi Noem moves to a new regional security role.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced on March 5, 2026 that he is replacing Kristi Noem as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and intends to nominate Markwayne Mullin to lead the agency. According to statements
MANILA — With her impeachment cases now deemed sufficient in substance, Vice President Sara Duterte has been given 10 days to submit her comments, in what the House committee on justice said would be the beginning of the “third stage” of the impeachment process. “Like what you heard yesterday, Wednesday, March 4, before the committee adjourned, we issued a notice to the Vice President for her to file her answer to the two impeachment complaints within the non-extendable period of 10 days,” said justice committee chairperson Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro in a radio interview. She reminded the public that the panel has a 60-session-day window to submit its report to the plenary. Luistro explained that the process has now entered its stage where parties involved exchange pleadings and begin submitting evidence to the committee. “Like what I have said before, we call this responsive pleadings. It is responsive because they are answering. This is what we call third stage. All documents are moving,” Luistro said. She said that while calendar days apply to the filing of responsive pleadings, the rules set the broader deadu PAGE 2
QC lawmaker Bong Suntay faces ethics Senate bills seek authority for complaint over remarks about Anne Curtis Marcos to suspend fuel excise tax against Quezon City 4th District Rep. Bong Suntay, following remarks he made about actress Anne Curtis during a congressional hearing that triggered public backlash. u PAGE 3
Trump removes DHS chief Kristi Washington keeps Greenhills Noem, nominates Oklahoma on U.S. list of piracy and Sen. Markwayne Mullin counterfeit markets by AJPress
authorities, Rivera was assisting her ward toward a bomb shelter when they were caught in an attack before reaching safety. Marcos said Rivera’s identity was confirmed by her husband, who is also an overseas Filipino worker in u PAGE 2
by AJPress
MANILA — The United States has again included Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City on its annual list of markets associated with the sale of counterfeit and pirated goods, according to the latest report released by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). released by the president, the The designation appears in the 2024 Review of Notorious Markets for leadership transition is expected Counterfeiting and Piracy, an annual assessment that identifies physical to take effect March 31, pending marketplaces and online platforms worldwide where intellectual properSenate confirmation. ty violations are reported to occur on a significant scale. Trump said Noem will take on a Greenhills, a well-known retail complex in Metro Manila that draws new role as Special Envoy for the local and international shoppers, has appeared repeatedly on the USTR “Shield of the Americas,” an ini- list over the years. The report notes that despite enforcement efforts and tiative he described as focused on monitoring by authorities and mall management, counterfeit merchanstrengthening cooperation among dise—such as imitation luxury goods, electronics, and accessories— u PAGE 2 u PAGE 3
as staggered pump hikes loom
Lawmakers propose giving the president temporary authority to reduce or suspend petroleum excise taxes as the Department of Energy prepares phased fuel price increases amid rising global oil prices. by AJPress MANILA — Senate measures filed in the Philippines would authorize President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to temporarily suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products as the government prepares for possible fuel price increases driven by rising global oil prices. The proposals emerged as the Department of Energy (DOE) warned that motorists may face staggered fuel price hikes beginning next week, following a surge in international crude prices linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East. DOE officials said the government is coordinating with oil companies to implement price adjustments in phases over several days, rather than imposing a single large increase at the pump, in an effort to reduce the
immediate impact on consumers. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said authorities are monitoring developments in global oil markets while preparing contingency responses should price pressures intensify. Despite the expected adjustments, the DOE said the Philippines maintains adequate fuel inventories, with supply levels exceeding the country’s minimum stock requirement. Senate proposals target fuel tax relief Amid concerns about rising pump prices, several lawmakers have introduced measures seeking to give the president authority to temporarily suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes imposed under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, enacted in 2017. Senator Joel Villanueva filed a bill that would allow the presu PAGE 2