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The Philippines is working with Washington to secure waivers and exemptions so it can obtain oil from US-sanctioned countries to ensure supply, its ambassador to the United States said.

Vice President Sara Duterte skipped the first hearing on the fresh impeachment suits against her, as the House justice committee began what it called a “mini trial” on Wednesday, March 25.

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could serve as an impetus for the Philippines and China to revisit discussions on joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, despite longstanding territorial disputes. In an interview with Bloomberg, Marcos acknowledged that while discussions have long been on the table, tensions have hindered progress.  “We’ve been talking about [it] for a great deal, but the territorial disputes will get in the way of that,” he said, adding that global developments such as the Iran war. “Maybe…it should provide impetus for both sides to come to an agreement.” Marcos also signaled a possible recalibration of relations with Beijing amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. “It’s certainly going to happen… there’s going to be a very, very serious restructuring,” he said, noting that countries may need to “redraw” aspects of their international relationships. Despite…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the Philippines is unlikely to face a worst-case scenario in which the country runs out of fuel due to the Middle East crisis. Garin faced the first hearing of the Senate ad hoc committee on the Middle East crisis response on Tuesday, March 24, but only after senators called her out for her absence earlier in the day.  Senator Win Gatchalian, the panel chairman, said Garin had submitted a long list of prior commitments and sent representatives instead, but Senator Loren Legarda said it was unacceptable.  Garin showed up shortly after 1:30 pm, and assured that the government is doing all it can to secure alternative sources of fuel.  “But that’s uncertainty,” Gatchalian said, pressing for clearer contingency measures should the situation worsen.  Garin replied: “The worst case is we run dry — this country runs dry. Ang good news niyan,…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of national energy emergency, citing risks to fuel supply and energy stability as tensions in the Middle East disrupt global oil markets. The president signed Executive Order No. 110, warning of potential supply disruptions and price volatility facing the country as a fuel-importing nation vulnerable to external shocks. Malacañang, however, stopped short of calling the situation a crisis. Officials said in a briefing yesterday that the country still has sufficient supply, and that the declaration was meant as a preventive measure against possible disruptions and price spikes. The declaration allows the government to implement urgent and coordinated measures to ensure the stability and adequacy of energy supply.  These include enforcing conservation policies, managing fuel allocation, and mobilizing resources across agencies to cushion the impact on consumers and the broader economy. Central to the response is the rollout of…