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Marcos, police calm fears over food shortages EALA IN ROUND 32 IN MIAMI OPEN SPORTS / A8
By Vince Lopez and Charles Dantes VOL. XL • NO. 39 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026 •
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday sought to calm fears of a possible rise in robbery and theft Next page
Diesel prices may hit P129.40/l ERC: Generation costs to go up, but no power cost hikes until July
By Alena Mae Flores, Thony Rose Lesaca, Darwin G. Amojelar, Charles Dantes and Rio Araja
• PBBM: Release P21.47b funds
C
ONSUMERS must brace for another substantial increase in fuel prices next week, with diesel expected to rise by as much as P14.50 per liter as the conflict in the Middle East shows no signs of letup. An industry source said diesel prices could climb to P129.40 per liter, up from the current P114.90. For the week of March 17 to 23, the total adjustment is projected to range between P14 and P14.50 per liter for diesel. Gasoline prices are also expected
to see a significant hike of P7 to P7.50 per liter, bringing the cost to nearly P100 per liter, based on Department of Energy data. The source attributed the spike to "worries of severe tightening of supply due to damage to energy infrastructures in the Middle East as the
to cushion price surge impact
PAL halts Middle East flights until April 30
• Toll discounts for PUVs, buses
By Joel E. Zurbano
in expressways begin Monday
US-Israel war with Iran continues to escalate." Oil companies are expected to stagger the implementation of these latest increases, the source said. In a related development, the Energy Regulatory Commission warned of higher generation costs due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions. Next page
FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Friday announced the temporary suspension of its Manila flights to key Middle East destinations, including Dubai and Doha, until April 30, 2026. Affected services include PR 658/659 (Manila–Dubai–Manila), PR 684 (Manila–Doha), and PR 685 (Doha–Manila), with an additional cancellation of PR
685 on May 1. “We recognize that many travelers on these routes are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who rely on these flights to travel between their workplaces and families. Philippine Airlines remains committed to supporting Filipino travelers during this period while ensuring that all flights operate under the highest safety standards,” PAL said. Next page
Israel PM: War with Iran ‘could finish sooner’ JERUSALEM -- Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Friday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated", and as Gulf nations faced a fresh set of attacks. Meanwhile, crude prices fell more than two percent Friday after Netanyahu said the war with Iran could finish sooner than many feared. Traders also welcomed US President Donald Trump's remarks that Israeli forces would not target any more of Tehran's energy infrastructure. Both main oil contracts sank, though Brent remains at about $105 and West Texas Intermediate about $93. The Iranian capital, under near daily bombardment since a joint US-Israeli attack started the war on February 28, was hit by strikes the Israeli military said were "targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime". The bombardment came shortly after Netanyahu said the Middle East war had eradicated the Islamic republic's capacity to enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles as the conflict heads towards a fourth week.
FOOD SECURITY . President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conducts a warehouse inspection at a canned fish and meat company in Calamba City as part of government efforts to ensure a stable food supply in the country. The President was accompanied by Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque, Century Pacific Food, Inc. (CPFI) President and CEO Theodore Ted Po, and CPFI Executive Chairman Christopher Chris Po. PPA Pool
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Senators urge gov’t to enforce It’s three-term fiscal discipline, targeted ayuda grading, not three By Ram Superable SEVERAL lawmakers on Friday pushed for tighter fiscal discipline and targeted government aid as the Philippines braces for economic fallout from rising global oil prices driven by tensions in the Middle East. “Government agencies and branches should review their spending and savings plans and ensure that their priorities are aligned with the needs of our citizens,” said Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as he introduced Senate Resolution No. 349. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, filed the mea-
sure urging careful fiscal management in implementing the 2026 General Appropriations Act amid global economic uncertainty. He warned that the Philippines remains highly vulnerable to oil shocks as it imports about 98 percent of its crude supply from the Middle East, making the local economy sensitive to regional instability. According to the lawmaker, stricter and more specific fiscal measures are needed beyond existing energy conservation directives to mitigate the crisis’ impact on economic growth and government revenues. Next page
semesters – Palace By Charles Dantes MALACAÑANG on Friday clarified that the planned shift to a threeterm academic calendar next school year will not adopt a trimester system, with elementary and senior high school students in public schools expected to take the same subjects throughout the school year. Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said the adjustment, discussed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, will only Next page
NEW DESTINATION IN THE SOUTH. SM City Zamboanga officially
opens its doors, bringing world-class retail, dining, and leisure closer to every Zamboangueño. As the city’s premier lifestyle destination, SM delivers a maxedout experience where everything is truly All For You. Joining the ceremonial opening of doors were (L-R) Arthur Pee Jay To, Mindpro, Incorporated Executive Director; Mr. Celso Lobregat, Chief of Staff and Executive Secretary to the Mayor; Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. President; Hon. Khymer Adan Olaso, Zamboanga City Mayor; Jonathan Ng, SM Retail Inc. President; Steven T. Tan, SM Supermalls President; and Hon. Maria Isabelle Climaco, Zamboanga City Vice Mayor.
PROTEST MARCH. Drivers, operators, supporters, members of transport group
PISTON, and various sectoral organizations march to Mendiola as they continue the second day of a two-day transport strike calling for an increase in transport fares and the scrapping of the oil deregulation law. Norman Cruz
83 percent of Pinoys are happy, only 15% ‘not very happy’ — SWS By Katrina Manubay HALF of Filipino adults, or 50 percent, describe themselves as “fairly happy,” down three points from 53 percent in March 2025 and slightly up from 48 percent in December 2024, according to a survey by Social
Weather Stations (SWS). Only 33 percent consider themselves “very happy,” nearly unchanged from 31 percent in March 2025 and 34 percent in December 2024, but 10 points lower than the 43 percent recorded in December 2023. Next page