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TRUMP HALTS STRIKES ON IRAN POWER PLANTS FOR 5 DAYS ‘AFTER TALKS’
VOL. XL • NO. 42 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026 • US President Donald Trump said Monday he will hold off on attacking Iranian power plants for five days after "very good" talks with Tehran, an abrupt shift that immediately eased pressure on rattled markets. But Iranian media said there were no negotiations between Tehran and Washington after Trump’s announcement on social media. "There are no talks beBut Iran denies tween Tehran and Washtalks with US ington," said Mehr news agency, citing Iran's foreign ministry, adding that Trump's statements were part of a push "to reduce energy prices". Other media carried similar reports. Hours before the expiration of his two-day ultimatum—in which he threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power infrastructure if it did not reopen the
BOMBED LIFELINE.
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Qasmiyeh bridge, located on a main highway linking villages in the Tyre district with others further north, after Israel had said the bridge was being used by Hezbollah, in southern Lebanon on March 22, 2026. AFP
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Marcos forms oil crisis panel Palace says no supply woes, but 403 gas stations closed as prices rise
By Charles Dantes, Alena Mae S. Flores, Ram Superable, and Maricel Cruz
P
RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the creation of a crisis management committee to address potential supply disruptions and rising fuel prices, Malacañang said Monday, even as officials maintained the country is not facing an oil supply crisis.
• Fuel prices to rise by P6 to P13/liter • Supply steady until May—Garin • Strategic petroleum reserve proposed
The Philippine National Police, however,, reported that the number of gas stations who have closed amid rising fuel prices has increased to 403. “Mula po siya sa 273 noong Miyerkules at umabot na nga po siya sa 403,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said at
a press briefing. The PNP has monitored a total of 14,313 gas stations across the country, he added. As this developed, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that fuel prices will increase today (Tuesday), but at levels lower than earlier projections. Next page
PBBM waiting for Congress to send emergency powers bill By Charles Dantes MALACAÑANG said on Monday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is ready to sign the measure granting him emergency powers to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products, but the enrolled bill has yet
to reach his office. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the delay was not due to opposition within the administration, but simply because the document has not been transmitted to the President. Next page
Cardinal Advincula urges gov’t to act on worsening inflation INTIMATE CONVERSATION. Under the humble shade of a nipa hut, far from the formality of government halls, senior citizen farmers in Camarines Sur found themselves in a rare and intimate conversation with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday following the Chief Executives’ inspection of key agricultural projects in the province. Story on A3. PCO
VP Sara mum on attending House impeach hearing By Maricel V. Cruz THERE are still no indications that Vice President Sara Duterte will appear before the House Committee on Justice on Wednesday, with no communication
so far from her camp on whether she will attend, House Committee on Public Accounts chair Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list said Monday. Ridon, a member of the House Committee on Justice, responded to a
By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja MANILA Cardinal Jose Advincula has called the attention of the government to the worsening problem of inflation with Filipino families struggling to cope with prices practi-
cally going up on a daily basis. Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said repatriation of Filipinos displaced by the Middle East crisis continues, with at least 1,420 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and dependents already home safe. Next page
reporter’s query that, as of posting time, there has been “no word or message” from the Vice President’s camp regarding her participation in the panel’s proceedings, raising uncertainty over her expected appearance. Next page
Trillanes denies receiving bribes, Expect warm, dry files cyberlibel raps vs. Baligod 18 weather as Amihan By Pot Chavez FORMER senator Sonny Trillanes on Monday filed cyberlibel complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 18 purported former marines in relation to their allegations. “This stems from their interviews after their press conference
a few weeks ago. So every time they appear in an interview, they can expect a case,” he told justice reporters. The group allegedly claimed that they delivered money placed in luggage to Trillanes, supposedly intended for the International Criminal Court (ICC). Next page
exits — PAGASA
THE weather bureau announced on Monday the termination of the northeast monsoon (amihan) and the start of the warm and dry season. Generally fair weather will prevail across the country and gradually, warmers days and isolated thunderstorms are Next page
PREPPING FOR HOLY WEEK. Members of the local artist group Insiders start preparing paper-mâché figures depicting the passion of Christ in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City on Monday, ahead of Holy Week. Norman Cruz