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Metro Manila, Philippines – The highly anticipated bill granting the president authority to suspend or reduce fuel excise taxes has been approved by both chambers of Congress, leaving only the reconciliation of differing provisions before it can be sent to Malacañang for enactment. The Senate passed the measure on second and third reading during its plenary session on Tuesday, March 17 — a move made possible after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified it as urgent. All 17 senators present voted in favor of the bill. Similar to the House version, the Senate measure authorizes the president to impose tax cuts if the average price of Dubai crude oil exceeds $80 per barrel for one month. However, the House version adds another condition: the president must declare a state of national emergency or calamity, which has led to extraordinary increases in pump prices, as certified by the Department of Energy. Both…

Manila, Philippines – The fallout from the Middle East conflict would likely spill over to other sectors of the economy, including local farms and fisheries, creating food supply bottlenecks, the Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday, March 17. Agriculture officials told the House committee on agriculture and food that fertilizer costs have already risen by up to 30 percent, adding to farmers’ input costs that are already being burdened by runaway global oil prices. The country, the agency said, sources about a fifth of its fertilizer needs from the Middle East: 15 percent from Qatar and 4 percent from Saudi – two Arab nations heavily pounded by Iran’s air strikes. “For the Philippines which is an import-dependent country for several key commodities, this geopolitical shock poses a serious risk not only to food affordability, but even food availability,” Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro told lawmakers convening to tackle the impact of…

The government distributed ₱5,000 in cash relief assistance for the public transport sector with tricycle drivers in Metro Manila as the initial beneficiaries on Tuesday, March 17.

Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains in control of the situation amid rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East, and that there is no need to declare a state of national emergency. Speaking at a press briefing in Cebu on Tuesday, March 17, Palace press officer Claire Castro said the government is actively managing the impact of the crisis through subsidies, financial aid, and regulatory measures. “The president and the government are still under control — in control of the situation,” Castro said. Her remarks were in response to calls from lawmakers, including Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Rep. Raymond Mendoza, urging the president to consider emergency powers to address soaring fuel prices. Castro downplayed the need for such a declaration, warning against alarmism. “Iwasan natin ang pagpapakalat ng takot dahil lalo lamang itong nagdudulot ng pangamba sa ating…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Complainants of one of the impeachment suits against Vice President Sara Duterte said they will not respond to the formal reply she submitted to the House justice committee, calling it a non-answer. Amando Ligutan, counsel of the petitioners composed of clergy and lawyers, said his clients submitted their manifestation of waiver to the panel on Tuesday, March 17. “Despite the gravity of the accusations against her, and the unmistakable public character of the funds she is charged with misappropriating, respondent ultimately said nothing to defend herself,” the complainants said.  “Accordingly, complainants manifest their intention not to file a reply to respondent’s non-answer,” they added. The group said Duterte failed to explain the allegation of misusing ₱612.5 million in confidential funds. They also flagged how the defense team supposedly merged the idea of ultimate and evidentiary facts in their appeal.  Nathaniel Cabrera, complainant of the fourth petition,…