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HOUSE, SENATE TO RECONCILE VERSIONS OF FUEL EXCISE BILL
VOL. XL • NO. 36 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2026
THE House of Representatives and the Senate will reconcile today its versions of a measure giving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the power to suspend or lower excise taxes on fuel. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the two chambers will settle any differences and aim to ratify the measure before the session ends this week so it can be sent to the President for signing into law. The Upper Chamber yesterday approved Senate Bill No. 1982 on third
Biz titans: War could slow PH econ growth Palace warns vs. fear mongering; BSP reviews rates
PBBM to let Congress decide on Oil Deregulation repeal By Charles Dantes, Alena Mae Flores, Thony Rose Lesaca, Ram Superable PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will leave it up to Congress to decide on proposals to repeal or amend the Oil
CATEGORY
CURRENT BASE FARE
NEW BASE FARE
JEEPNEYS
TRADITIONAL P13.00 (P1.80 for every succeeding km)
TRADITIONAL P14.00 (P2.00 for every succeeding km)
MODERN P15.00 (P2.20 for every succeeding km)
MODERN P17.00 (P2.40 for every succeeding km)
ORDINARY P13.00 (P2.25 for every succeeding km)
ORDINARY P15.00 (P2.49 for every succeeding km)
AIRCON P15.00 (P2.65 for every succeeding km)
AIRCON P18.00 (P2.98 for every succeeding km)
ORDINARY P11.00 (P1.90 for every succeeding km)
ORDINARY P12.00 (P2.20 for every succeeding km)
AIRCON +P2.10 (for every succeeding km)
AIRCON +P2.45 (for every succeeding km)
DELUXE +P2.35 (for every succeeding km)
DELUXE +P2.60 (for every succeeding km)
SUPER DELUXE +P2.35 (for every succeeding km)
SUPER DELUXE +P2.70 (for every succeeding km)
LUXURY +P2.90 (for every succeeding km)
LUXURY +P3.35 (for every succeeding km)
SAMPLE ILLUSTRATED RATES P60.00 (for an 8 km route) P400.00 (for a 113 km routes)
SAMPLE ILLUSTRATED RATES P69.00 (for an 8 km route) P460.00 (for a 113 km route)
FLAG DOWN RATE P75.00 (for first 500 meters)
FLAG DOWN RATE P115 (+P40.00 from existing rates no changes in succeeding rates for every 300m plus twominute waiting charge
SEDAN - P45.00 AUV/SUV - P55.00 HATCHBACK - P35.00 PREMIUM - P145.00
SEDAN - P65.00 (+44%) AUV/SUV - P75.00 (+36%) HATCHBACK - P55.00 (57%) PREMIUM - P165.00 (+13%)
CITY BUSES
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PROVINCIAL BUSES
P2P Buses (15% adjustment based on existing routes)
Airport Taxis
AYUDA. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. hands over the cash assistance yesterday to a member of the Sta. Mesa Tricycle Drivers group in Sta. Mesa, Manila. With the President are Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and DOTR Sec. Giovanni Lopez.
Ride-Hailing Cars (TNVS) +P20.00 base fare and +P15.00 pickup charge per kilometer
Fare hikes okayed for jeeps, buses, TNVS By Darwin G. Amojelar and Rio N. Arajo
cision which covers all modes of land public transportation was thoroughly deliberated upon and supported by group unhappy data from the Department of EconoTHE Department of Transportation (DOTr) my, Planning, and Development. on Tuesday announced that the Land Trans- with increase “This decision that covers all portation Franchising and Regulatory Board modes of land public transpor(LTFRB) has approved fare increases for tation is proof of the national government’s various transport groups, citing the sustained rise in genuine concern on the welfare of those in the petroleum prices driven by geopolitical tensions. Next page LTFRB chairman Vigor Mendoza II said the de-
• Transport
House to continue impeach hearings during recess By Maricel V. Cruz
THE House of Representatives on Tuesday night adopted a resolution authorizing the Committee on Justice to con-
tinue impeachment proceedings during the congressional recess from March 21 to May 3, 2026, and to provide adequate protection to witnesses and complainants.
House Resolution (HR) 892, introduced by Speaker Faustino Dy III, Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos of Ilocos Norte, and Minority Next page
NEWS / A3 and final reading with a unanimous 17-0 vote, while the Lower Chamber approved House Bill No. 8418 Monday. The Senate and House versions both pegged the trigger for the excise tax suspension if the average price of Next page
Ayala Corp chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and SM Investments Corp chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson
UPDATED PUV FARE ADJUSTMENTS
Deregulation Law even as calls grow for greater government intervention amid rising fuel prices, Malacañang said Tuesday. This as Senate President Vicente Sotto III yesterday filed a bill seeking the
DOTr implements multi-relief package
By Jenniffer Austria, Ram Superable and Charles Dantes
P
HILIPPINE conglomerates warned the ongoing Middle East conflict could slow economic growth as higher costs, energy risks and global uncertainty weigh on business activities.
SM Investments Corp. chairman Teresita Sy-Coson and Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said businesses are preparing for a slower growth scenario as external factors are making people nervous and cautious about spending. This as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr. late Tuesday afternoon to discuss the Monetary Board’s policy considerations, particularly on any decision to reduce interest rates. Finance Secretary Frederick Go said a short-lived conflict in the Middle East would likely shave less than 0.1 percent off the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth, but if the hostilities drag on for more than Next page
Truckers group mulls 30 percent increase in fees By Othel V. Campos and Maricel V. Cruz
A HISTORIC FIRST. SM Supermalls President Steven Tan,
Runrio CEO Rio dela Cruz, and MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes formalize a historic partnership featuring RUNRIO, SM SUPERMALLS AND SAMSUNG STAGE EDSA MARATHO for the Galaxy Manila Marathon 2026. The landmark race will run along the historic EDSA route from SM Mall of Asia to SM North EDSA and back, marking one of the country’s most ambitious marathon courses.
A TRUCKERS’ group said it will implement a 30% increase in service rates amid rising fuel prices caused by the Middle East conflict. Maria Zapata, president of the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines Inc., told Balitanghali on Tuesday that the rate increase was decided when diesel prices hit P90 per liter. Zapata said the group will hold a meeting with members to discuss the best approach for clients. “This is scary Next page