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Coco Gauff
Alex Eala
ALEX, COCO FACE OFF IN INDIAN WELLS SPORTS / A8
4-day workweek starts for gov’t; WFH for SC too By Katrina Manubay, Pot Chavez and Ram Superable SOME government offices in the executive branch will begin their mandated four-day workweek today, with the Supreme Court announcing Sunday that the judiciary will also adopt flexible work arrangements in line with the national energy conservation policy. Next page
VOL. XL • NO. 27 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026 •
Panic buying on fuel: Gas stations shutter
Ships also raise fares 30%; DOE in surprise inspections By Alena Mae Flores, Ram Superable, and Jimbo Gulle
S
OME gasoline stations across the country began running out of fuel on Sunday as panicked motorists rushed to fill their tanks ahead of a looming price hike, prompting government agencies to conduct surprise inspections of retail outlets.
PANIC DAY. Motorists line up yesterday at a gas station, at left, to fill up their tanks before the expected surge in fuel prices due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. Inset shows a gas station in Manila with an out of stock sign. Edd Castro, Norman Cruz
Iran claims it can sustain drone, missile attacks up to six months IRAN'S Revolutionary Guards said they had enough supplies to continue their aerial drone and missile war over the Middle East for up to six months, while US President Donald Trump again refused to rule out send-
ing American ground troops into Iran as the war entered its 9th day. Guards spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini said Iran had so far used only first- and second-generation missiles, but would use "advanced and
less-used long-range missiles" in the coming days. Meanwhile, a member of Iran's 88-member Assembly of Experts said Saturday that the body has selected the country's next supreme leader.
Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of the Assembly of Experts, as quoted by Iran's Mehr news agency, said the secretariat of the body will announce the name later.
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Television reports showed long lines of vehicles at gas stations as consumers braced for a possible surge in pump prices driven by tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, some shipping companies have already raised fares by as much as 30 percent, even ahead of the anticipated Holy Week travel rush. The government does not regulate shipping fares, and the hikes took passengers on Saturday and Sunday by surprise. Diesel prices are expected to approach P100 per liter by Tuesday, but one gas station in Valenzuela City already posted a rate of P105 as shown on social media. Sources told Manila Standard that to mitigate the shock, the Energy department is looking at staggering the price increases over a span of three to Next page five days.
‘Spies use gaming app to send out information to Chinese handlers’ By Vince Lopez ESPIONAGE suspects who were arrested recently were using a gaming app to communicate with their Chinese handlers, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The AFP also said it has uncovered intelligence initiatives to obtain information about personnel stationed aboard the grounded warship BRP Si-
erra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, including details that could be used to pressure their families, AFP spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) RAdm Roy Vincent Trinidad said. Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told ABS-CBN News that authorities continue to look into the spying activities linked to China. Next page
Vice President Sara Duterte
China urges PH to lead in ensuring regional stability as ASEAN chair By Katrina Manubay CHINESE Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday called for peace, cooperation, and friendship to become the “new narrative” in the South China Sea, urging the Philippines to play a positive role in maintaining regional stability.
In a local press briefing, Wang expressed hope that the Philippines will fulfill its responsibility as the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair. "Peace, cooperation and friendship should be the new narrative of the South China Sea. Making waves wins Next page
Marcos off to New York, leaves instructions on ‘ayuda’, red tape PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to New York on Sunday at 10:22 a.m. for an official work visit. Prior to his departure, the President pledged to improve the distribution of government aid to beneficiaries, spe-
cifically senior citizens, urging Filipinos to voice their concerns and suggestions to the government. In another move, Mr. Marcos instructed the Philippine Statistics Next page
COLOR OF THE DAY.
Manila City Hall celebrates Women’s Day by lighting its clock tower purple. Inset shows the greeting of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in his FB post. Norman Cruz, PBBM FB page
PBBM, VP Sara honor women’s role in nation-building PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday paid tribute to Filipino women in celebration of International Women’s Day and National Women’s Month, honoring their courage, leadership, and vital role in nation-building. Next page