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IRAN ACCUSES US OF PLOTTING GROUND ATTACK WHILE NEGOTIATING
VOL. XL • NO. 49 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026 •
IRAN'S parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Sunday that the United States was plotting a ground attack despite publicly engaging in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war. "The enemy publicly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue while secretly planning a ground attack," Ghalibaf said in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency. "Our men are waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional allies once and for all," he added.
SSS, DOLE study relief for workers, employers
Loan moratorium, penalty freeze, TUPAD payout planned
By Thony Rose Lesaca, Rio N. Araja, and Ram Superable
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HE Social Security System (SSS) said Sunday it is studying the feasibility of a loan moratorium for its members and a condonation program for employers’ contribution penalties, as part of a broader effort to cushion the impact of ongoing economic challenges linked to the Middle East conflict.
SSS president and chief executive officer Robert Joseph de Claro said the proposed measures aim to provide immediate financial relief to both workers and employers struggling with rising costs, while ensuring the continued delivery of social protection benefits. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is also stepping up efforts to assist workers affected by rising fuel
costs, particularly public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who are among the hardest hit sectors. DOLE spokesperson Assistant Secretary Lennard Serrano said the agency is exploring the use of its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program to provide emergency employment and income support. Next page
Impeach hearing could end in May, says Zamora
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INSIDE INTERNATIONAL
W MEN’S MONTH Special Supplement
JUNIOSA GETS BGT GOLDEN BUZZER NEWS / A3
FIVE COPS KILLED IN MAGUINDANAO NEWS / A4
Diesel price seen at P13/liter; more Russian oil eyed
By Rio N. Araja THE impeachment proceedings now underway in the House Committee on Justice may wrap up by the end of May even as the body continues to tackle questions over probable cause and the fairness of the process involving Vice President Sara Duterte. San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, committee vice chairperson, said, “From the time of the initiation or referral to the Committee on Justice, it’s 60 session days. So our estimate is, if I’m not mistaken, around the end of May.” The timeframe matters because the committee is working through a politically charged case while also trying to show that its members are approaching the proceedings without bias against the Vice President, despite public criticism and the intense national attention surrounding the complaint, she said. She stressed that confidence in the numbers inside the committee should not be read as proof of prejudice but as a reflection of how lawmakers assessed the complaints, the annexes, and the threshold issues already taken up by the panel. “The congressmen have read the complaints and believe we are correct
The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the Pentagon is preparing plans for weeks of ground operations in Iran—potentially including raids on Kharg Island and coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz—though President Donald Trump has not yet approved any deployment. Any ground operation would stop short of a full-scale invasion, instead involving raids by special operations forces and conventional infantry troops, the Post said, citing unnamed officials. Next page
By Alena Mae S. Flores and Katrina Manubay
PALM SUNDAY. Filipinos flock to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu in San Mateo, Rizal with their palm fronds on Palm Sunday, as they commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, marking the start of Holy Week. Edd Castro
PH, China commit to sustain high-level engagement By Katrina Manubay THE Philippines and China reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and sus-
CONSUMERS should brace for a sharp increase in pump prices this week, with diesel expected to rise by P12 to P13 per liter and gasoline by as much as P2 per liter, as tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt global oil markets, an industry source said. “MOPS [Mean of Platts Singapore] price on gasoline has actually softened, and the negative week-on-week difference points to a potential rollback,” the source told Manila Standard. “However, it may be wiped out once the premium and freight components are factored in.” Data from the Department of Energy (DOE) showed that, as of March 24 to 30, diesel prices in the National Capital Region ranged from P105 to P140.20 per liter. Gasoline was priced between P84 and P111.10 per liter, while kerosene sold for P140 to P166.79 per liter. Amid the expected price increases, the government is moving to secure
taining high-level engagement during back-to-back consultations held on March 27 to 28 in Quanzhou, where both sides discussed maritime differences in the South China Sea.
In a statement released late Saturday night, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) indicated that the 24th Foreign Ministry Consultations
LTO launches ‘Oplan Biyaheng Ayos’ for Holy Week break
‘Surrender is redemption’
Lent: A time for healing
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula
Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez
By Vito Barcelo
By Rio N. Araja
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By Rio N. Araja and Vito Barcelo
HAPPY WALK. Over 10,500 supporters of the Down Syndrome community from all over the country assembled for a record-breaking show of solidarity and empowerment at the 2026 Happy Walk at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Hosted annually by SM Cares and the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Happy Walk empowers communities of advocates in shaping a world where everyone feels seen, valued, and welcomed. The celebration is SM’s culminating activity for World Down Syndrome Day.
THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has set in motion “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos” for the Holy Week break lasting April 6. Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered all regional directors to initiate roadworthiness inspection protocols in bus and other public utility vehicle (PUV) terminals to ensure a safe travel during the Holy Week exodus. Next page
MANILA Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Sunday challenged the faithful to shift their perspective on surrender, as doing so to God is a form of redemption, not defeat. Next page
LEYTE 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez urged Filipinos on Palm Sunday to observe Holy Week as a time for prayer, reflection and renewal, emphasizing the need for healing and unity amid ongoing challenges. Next page