News

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it has fast-tracked the release of ₱2.49 billion for fuel subsidy of the transport sector in a regime of rising fuel prices.

Metro Manila, Philippines — Transport group Piston is warning of a larger, multi-sectoral strike just days before Holy Week, as it ramps up pressure on what it calls the government’s lack of response to rising fuel costs. Its two-day nationwide transport strike ended Friday, March 20, but the group said it is coordinating with other transport sectors for a broader mobilization soon. “Sa susunod na mga araw, hindi na lamang tayo ang hihinto sa lansangan,” Piston president Mody Floranda said, adding that he will meet with other transport groups, “iba’t ibang federation, hindi lamang ng jeepney, kung ‘di sa lahat ng mga pampublikong transportasyon.” [Translation: In the coming days, it will no longer be just us who will stop plying the roads… different federations, not only jeepneys but across all public transportation.] The meeting is set for Sunday, March 22, with a potential mass protest on Friday, March 27, ahead…

Metro Manila, Philippines – House justice committee chairperson Gerville “Jinky” Luistro said Vice President Sara Duterte’s attendance in the upcoming impeachment hearings will be “very significant” to directly challenge the evidence presented against her. In an interview on The Newsmaker on Friday, March 20, Luistro said Duterte’s presence would give her the opportunity to “witness up close and personal the evidence which will be presented by the complainant.” “Of course, this is significant because she needs to counter, to rebut, to question the evidence of the complainant so as to provide basis for the members of the Justice Committee in not voting in favor of the impeachment complaint,” she said. Luistro said skipping the proceedings could leave the allegations unanswered. “If she will not avail of this opportunity, she will not participate in the hearing proper… she will not rebut, she will not challenge, she will not refute the evidence…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said food companies and retailers have agreed to keep prices steady for up to two months, as the government moves to cushion the impact of global uncertainties on basic goods. The assurance came after Marcos inspected the distribution center of Century Pacific Food Inc. in Calamba City, where he said supply remains sufficient and stable across the sector. “Simple lang naman, andito tayo upang tingnan ang suplay ng pagkain at ang presyuhan ng pagkain,” Marcos said. [Translation: It’s simple — we are here to check food supply and pricing].  He said the government is coordinating with industry partners to make sure daily needs are met.  “Lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan… nilalapitan natin ang mga partner natin na food suppliers para sa pang-araw-araw ng taumbayan,” he added  [Translation: All government agencies are reaching out to our partner food suppliers for the daily needs…

Metro Manila, Philippines — Transport group PISTON and its allied sectoral organizations brought to Malacañang on Friday, March 20, their issues to mark the second day of the nationwide transport strike. Jeepney drivers, operators, and supporters gathered at Mabuhay Rotonda – commonly called Welcome Rotonda – in Quezon City before heading to Mendiola in Manila. The groups are protesting what they call the government’s lack of response to soaring fuel prices. Authorities were deployed at the roundabout at around 11:30 a.m., ahead of the protesters’ assembly at noon. PISTON president Mody Floranda earlier said the group would continue mounting protests until President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. addresses its demands. These include the suspension of excise and value-added taxes on fuel, reduction of diesel prices to ₱55 per liter, and repeal of the oil deregulation law.