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Oil from India to bolster local reserves—DOE By Alena Mae Flores and Ram Superable THE Department of Energy (DOE) said it is firming up oil supply from India to bolster the country’s reserves as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global markets, even as domestic pump prices are set for another sharp increase this week. Industry sources said diesel prices could rise by P16.50 to P17.50 per liter, gasoline by P7.50 to P8.50 per liter, and kerosene by about P13.70 per liter on Tuesday. Next page
BACK ON STAGE. K-pop boy group BTS reunite on March 21, for VOL. XL • NO. 41 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026 •
their first show in nearly four years, with an expected 260,000 fans taking over central Seoul for a K-pop extravaganza livestreamed to millions more worldwide. Inset shows part of the mammoth crowd that saw the event. AFP
Trump threatens Iran: Open Hormuz or else
Iran power plants in US crosshairs if vital strait stays closed
U
S President Donald Trump vowed to "obliterate" the Islamic republic's power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz swiftly reopens in 48 hours. But Iran's military operational command responded that if the country's facilities were hit, "all energy, information technology and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US" in the region would be targeted. Trump, after signaling he may wind down the war, ratcheted up pressure on Iran's leadership, announcing a 48-hour countdown that ends Monday night (Tuesday morning in Manila) over the Islamic republic's de facto blockade on the crucial trade route. "If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Next page
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday announced an additional ₱50 million allocation for regional field offices, alongside continued fuel subsidies for farmers and fisherfolk. In his latest BBMvlog titled ‘Krisis sa Langis’, President Marcos assured the government is strengthen-
By Angelica Villanueva K-POP powerhouse BTS staged its first full-group comeback performance in nearly four years at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, drawing millions of viewers worldwide, including a strong following from Filipino fans. On Saturday, March 21, the sevenmember act reunited on stage for the first time in nearly four years after completing mandatory military service, blowing away enormous crowds in Seoul for a K-pop extravaganza livestreamed to millions more worldNext page wide.
Ayuda for PUV drivers to roll out nationwide in April By Rio N. Araja and Katrina Manubay
ULTIMATUM, US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists before boarding Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2026 for his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Inset shows the Strait of Hormuz which Iran has blockaded since the start of the war with the US and Israel. AFP
More ayuda for release to farmers and fisherfolk By Katrina Manubay
Pinoy ‘Armys’ join mammoth welcome for BTS
ing agricultural support and securing fertilizer supplies amid global price pressures due to the Middle East tensions “Fuel subsidies din ang nag-aabang para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Ongoing na talaga yung mga programang yan. Pero nag padagdag pa tayo ng 50 million sa mga regional field offices,” he said. (Fuel
subsidies are also waiting for farmers and fishermen. Those programs are already ongoing. But we are also adding 50 million to the regional field offices.) “Ang presyo naman ng fertilizer, eh ibang usapan po yan dahil petroleum product yan. Nakikipag-usap na tayo sa iba't-ibang fertilizer producing countries. Okay pa tayo sa Abril pero pinaghahandaan na natin ang May to June,” he added. Next page
INTO THE ROUND OF 16.
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot against Magda Linette of Poland during Day 5 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. AFP
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday announced that the nationwide rollout of fuel subsidies for transport workers will begin on April 6, adding that nearly 100,000 tricycle drivers have already received financial aid. The Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO) however said it would hold a transport holiday today amid runaway fuel prices due to the Middle East war. The Western Visayas Alliance of Transport Cooperatives and Corporations Inc. also announced a transport holiday in Iloilo City, believing a Next page
Gov’t fast-tracking 23 projects to boost power supply by 900 MW PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday said the government is fast-tracking efforts to boost power supply, advancing 23 projects expected to add around 900 megawatts to the grid within the next 60 days. In his latest BBMvlog titled ‘Krisis sa Langis’, President Marcos explained that this initiative aims to maintain grid stability and avoid po-
tential energy shortages. “Sa supply naman ng kuryente, kinakausap ang mga power generation company upang madagdagan pa ang kapasidad ng ating mga grid sa susunod na 60 days. 23 power project na may kapasidad ng 900 megawatts ang inaasahang mag-o-online para makatulong sa supply,” he said. Next page
Eala’s poise prevails in Miami, tough test awaits vs. Muchova By Peter Atencio COMPOSURE and patience carried Alexandra Eala through one of her toughest tests yet, as she held firm against the relentless challenge of Magda Linette to carve out a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory early Sunday morning (Manila time) at the Grandstand
of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Against an aggressive, never-saydie opponent fresh off a giant-killing run, Eala leaned on discipline and mental steadiness, especially in a tense second-set tiebreak, to seal the win in 108 minutes. Next page