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MARCH 27 - APRIL 2, 2026
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Philippines declares energy emergency as Middle East DATELINE USA conflict disrupts fuel outlook, revives China talks Aviation Crisis Deepens: FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Trump Deploys ICE Agents to Airports as TSA Absenteeism Hits Record Highs
WASHINGTON — A staffing strain at U.S. airports has intensified as a partial shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now in its second month, prompting federal authorities to reassign personnel to assist with airport operations. Approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees have been working without pay since mid-February, based on federal workforce estimates tied to the funding lapse. The disruption has contributed to increased absenteeism and operational delays at several major airports, raising concerns about system resilience during prolonged funding interruptions. The shutdown remains linked to a legislative impasse in Washington over DHS appropriations, with disagreements centered on election-related provisions included in broader funding negotiations. No final measure to restore full funding had been apu PAGE 4
Digital overhaul, fraud safeguards reshape Social Security services for millions of Americans Digital overhaul, fraud safeguards reshape Social Security services for millions of Americans
BALTIMORE, MD — The Social Security Administration (SSA) is implementing a wide-ranging operational overhaul that is beginning to affect how millions of Americans - including Filipino retirees and public sector workers -access benefits, resolve claims, and protect their identities. The changes center on faster service delivery, expanded digital access, and tighter safeguards against improper payments. Faster service, digital access For beneficiaries, the most immediate shift is improved access. SSA reports shorter wait times on its nau PAGE 4
Transport strike highlights domestic pressure amid rising fuel costs
by AJPress MANILA — The Philippine government declared a State of National Energy Emergency, citing risks to fuel supply stemming from escalating tensions in the Middle East, as a nationwide transport strike disrupted commutes in Metro Manila and other areas on Thursday.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 110, authorizing emergency measures to stabilize energy supply and mitigate the economic impact of global oil market volatility linked to hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. A state of emergency Under the order, Marcos cited an “imminent danger” to the country’s energy security arising from the
California lawmakers vote to redesignate César Chávez Day as ‘Farmworkers Day’ following abuse allegations by AJPress
PALM SUNDAY PREPS. Vendors prepare materials for “palaspas” (woven palm fronds) in Quiapo, Manila on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Christians will mark the start of Holy Week on Palm Sunday (March 29), commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where believers welcomed Him with palm branches. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
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MANILA — The Philippine government on March 16, 2026, officially launched its fully digital apostille services, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition to electronic document authentication under the Hague Apostille Convention. The rollout, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), enables the issuance of electronic apostilles (e-Apostilles) for civil registry documents and academic records. This development builds on the Philippines’
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Legislature voted on Thursday, March 26, 2026, to strip the name of César Chávez from the state’s annual March 31 holiday, redesignating the date as “Farmworkers Day.” The emergency legislation, passed with unanimous support in both chambers, follows a series of allegations that the late labor icon engaged in sexual abuse and grooming over several decades. The move marks a swift reversal for a figure long regarded as central to the American labor movement. Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign Assembly Bill 2156 into law immediately, ensuring the new designation takes effect before the holiday next week. A movement re-evaluated The legislative action was triggered by a March 18 investigation published by The New York Times, which detailed accounts from individuals alleging that Chávez exploited his position within the United Farm Workers to abuse women and minors. u PAGE 4
Pope Leo calls for ban on aerial Corruption top reason for bombardment as war intensifies distrust in Marcos Jr., Sara – poll by AJPress
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has called for a global prohibition on aerial bombardment, describing such attacks as inherently indiscriminate, in one of his strongest statements yet against modern warfare as hostilities involving Iran entered a fourth week. Speaking on March 23 before executives and staff of Italy’s ITA Airways and the
Lufthansa Group, the pontiff said that aircraft should serve as instruments of connection rather than destruction, warning that civilians should never have to live in fear of violence from above. “No one should fear that threats of death and destruction will come from the sky,” he said. In remarks published by the Holy See, Pope Leo added that after the devastation of the 20th century, aerial bombardment u PAGE 2
Philippines Launches First Fully Digital Duterte legal team weighs Apostille Service for PSA, CHED Records Supreme Court challenge as House AJP impeachment proceedings intensify by
conflict, which has heightened risks to global oil shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. The Philippines relies heavily on imported fuel, leaving it vulnerable to external supply disruptions and price shocks. The declaration activates the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), a u PAGE 2
2019 adoption of the apostille system, which replaced the former “red ribbon” process and aligned the nation with international standards for document legalization. Digital Verification and Global Use Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro stated that the new system introduces secure digital verification features designed to assist the estimated 10 million Filipinos living and working abroad. “These are issued as fully digital certificates with QR-based verification,” Lazaro said, noting that documents may be validated in real-time through the DFA’s electronic registry. Apostilles issued u PAGE 4
by AJPress MANILA — Lawyers for Vice President Sara Duterte said they may again seek relief from the Supreme Court as the House Committee on Justice advances impeachment proceedings, sharpening a constitutional dispute over the limits of the chamber’s investigative authority. Michael Poa, a spokesperson for Duterte’s legal team, said a petition before the high court remains “always a possibility” after the House panel proceeded with hearings despite the Vice President’s absence. The committee has moved into its evidentiary phase following determinations of sufficiency in form and substance, placing the proceedings at a critical stage before any potential elevation to the full House. Constitutional limits in focus Duterte’s camp argues that while the House has the exclusive power to initiate impeachment cases, the Senate alone has the authority to try and decide them. u PAGE 2
by Janvic Mateo Philstar.com
MANILA — Most Filipinos who distrust President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte cited corruption as the primary reason for their lack of trust in the country’s two highest officials, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey. The survey, conducted from Feb. 27 to March 2, asked the respondents for their primary reason for trusting or distrusting Marcos and Duterte. It showed that 35 percent trusted Marcos while 44 percent distrusted him. The remaining 21 percent were undecided. Duterte had a trust rating of 54 percent. Twenty-six percent distrusted her, while the remaining 20 percent were undecided. In the case of the President, 16.7 percent of those who distrusted him cited his failure to fight corruption or the lack of accountability in corruption issues as their primary reason. It was followed by his supposed failure to fulfill his promises (15.3 percent), failure to perform his duties (13.8 percent), failure to control the prices of goods (12.3 percent) and his alleged involvement in corruption (12 percent).
Other reasons for distrust in the President included his supposed lack of action against criminality and illegal drugs (10.1 percent), for allegedly being a drug addict (9.2 percent), slow response to help disaster victims (2.5 percent) and for going after the Dutertes (1.4 percent). Notably, Marcos’ actions to expose and fight corruption was also the primary reason of most of those who trust him. It was selected by 28.6 percent of those who trusted the President, followed by helping those affected by disasters (12.4 percent), implementing programs that improve the lives of Filipinos (10.9 percent), supporting farmers (9.9 percent) and repairing public infrastructure (4.9 percent). For Duterte, more than half or 51.5 percent of those who distrusted her cited her alleged involvement in corruption as their reason. It was followed by her threats against the administration (21.4 percent), repeated cursing (5.4 percent), not being able to do anything (5.1 percent) and repeated travels abroad (4.5 percent). n