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PESO SETTLES AT ALL-TIME LOW OF P60.69 AGAINST US DOLLAR
BUSINESS / B1
PBBM orders gov’t energy cuts Major biz groups back efforts to cushion Mideast crisis impact By Charles Dantes, Darwin Amojelar, Joel Zurbano, Othel Campos, and Maricel Cruz
M
ALACAÑANG imposed sweeping energy conservation measures across all state offices, sharply limiting electricity use and taking most government vehicles off the road as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. moved to curb fuel demand amid rising global oil prices. VOL. XL • NO. 49 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026
PNOC eyes LPG, jet fuel imports to stabilize supply By Alena Mae Flores, Vince Lopez, Maricel Cruz and Rio Araja STATE-RUN Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) is studying the procurement of liquefied petroleum gas, jet fuel and diesel in its next importation batch to stabilize supply, energy officials said Monday.
Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the directive, which took effect immediately, marked a “decisive shift” toward austerity and demand management for the entire bureaucracy, including
government-owned and controlled corporations. Next page
• 900,000 barrels of diesel set to arrive in April
Next page
Oil prices soar on fears of US ground attack ISRAEL and Iran exchanged more missile fire Monday as concerns that the United States might escalate the Middle East conflict by launching ground raids against the Islamic republic’s Gulf islands sent oil prices soaring. Next page
House confident of impeach vote; VP Sara lawyers say bring it on By Maricel V. Cruz and Katrina Manubay THE House Committee on Justice will proceed with impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte despite a petition before the Supreme Court, with the panel’s vice chair citing growing support among members and continued efforts to build additional evidence. Next page
Sen. Robin urges SC to act on Rody petition NEWS / A3
TOLL FREE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. inspects the newly-opened CAVITEX C5 Link Segment 3B yesterday with DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, and MPTC President Gilbert Santamaria. Inset shows passengers bound for Northern Luzon lining up for reservation tickets at a bus terminal in Sampaloc, Manila. Revoli Cortez, Norman Cruz
DILG deploys 70k cops to ensure safe Lenten break travel By Vince Lopez, Joel E. Zurbano, Charles Dantes, and Darwin Amojelar THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday, March 30 .called on the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and all local government units (LGUs) to ensure a safe, orderly, and peaceful observance of the Holy Week.
• CAVITEX C-5 link toll-free in April • No MRT, LRT from April 2-5
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday inaugurated a new segment of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX) C5 Southlink, designed to ease traffic congestion and cut travel time between the cities of Parañaque and Taguig. The President also announced that the new segment would be toll-free for motorists until the end of April to encourage Next page
Gov’t to protect WPS interests in oil exploration talks with China By Charles Dantes MALACAÑANG on Monday said the government will safeguard national interests as the Philippines and China begin initial discussions on possible joint oil and gas exploration amid the ongoing fuel crisis. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said any engagement with Beijing would be ap-
proached with caution and sincerity, stressing that the welfare of Filipinos remains the government’s top priority. “We will always be sincere in our conversations, if there are any, and we will always be careful to protect the interests of the nation and every Filipino,” Castro said. She underscored that the Philippines would not give up any of its rights or Next page
‘Hot, humid, dry weather to persist in next 3 days’ By Rio N. Araja RAGING. Forest fires burn uncontrollably on Kalawitan, Sabangan, Mt. Province as Bureau of Fire personnel try to bring in equipment to contain the blaze. Dave Leprozo
HOT, dry, and humid conditions will persist in the next two to three days in most parts of the country,
especially Northern Luzon, due to the ridge of a high-pressure area. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Next page