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Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Energy said Friday a fuel price cut is possible next week, a break from the successive rising cost, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. weighs the suspension or reduction of the fuel excise tax in light of recommendations from economic managers. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said initial market data show a downward trend, although final figures will depend on the full five-day trading computation. “Kung iyong trend lang ang based on the four days, may rollback siya. So, I just want to explain, how do you compute, five days kasi iyan Monday to Friday… kung may mangyari ngayon at baka mag-spike ulit baka maiba iyong computation,” Garin said during a Palace briefing on Friday, April 10.  [Translation: Based on the four-day trend, there is a rollback. But computation is based on five days, Monday to Friday, so if something happened and the price surges,…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has announced higher electricity rates this month, with the impact of the Middle East crisis on generation charges expected to count in the May billing statement. Customers will pay ₱0.5335 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) this month, Meralco spokesperson and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga said in an online media briefing on Friday, April 10. This translates to ₱107 more in the monthly bill of a household consuming 200 kWh. “Hindi pa natin maramdaman yung effects sa fuel prices dito sa April generation charge. Kasi yung April generation charge reflects costs from March, and nung March, nandito na po sa bansa yung fuel na na-import natin,” Zaldarriaga explained.  [Translation: We have not yet felt the effects of fuel prices in the April generation charge because it reflects costs from March. And in March, the fuel we imported had already arrived in…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Dita Angara-Mathay as secretary of the Department of Tourism, Malacañang announced on Friday, April 10. Angara-Mathay, a career trade official, previously served as commercial counselor at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo, where she worked with Japanese firms — a major source of investments and visitors to the Philippines. Her appointment comes as the government seeks to strengthen tourism’s role in the economy, particularly in generating jobs and supporting regional development. The Palace said Angara-Mathay has been involved in programs linking foreign partners with local industries, including efforts supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises. She replaces Christina Garcia Frasco, who has been appointed as presidential adviser for sustainable and resilient communities. Malacañang said Frasco will focus on implementing national programs at the local level, especially in areas vulnerable to climate-related risks.

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched a fuel subsidy and expanded transport support starting April 15 but stopped short of deciding on a possible suspension of fuel excise taxes, as the government continues to assess options amid rising oil prices. In a video statement on Thursday, April 9,  following a meeting of the UPLIFT Committee, Marcos said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will implement a nationwide Service Contracting Program aimed at boosting the income of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers while easing the burden on commuters. “Kaya naman simula April 15, ipapatupad ng DOTr ang Service Contracting Program… babayaran namin ang ating mga operator at driver ng mula PhP40 hanggang Php100 kada kilometro,” he said. [Translation: Starting April 15, the DOTr will implement the Service Contracting Program… we will pay our operators and drivers ₱40 to ₱100 per kilometer.] The program will cover around 50,000 PUVs, 1,000…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The impeachment hearing next week will focus on the alleged misuse of confidential funds by Vice President Sara Duterte, a panel member said. In an interview on The Newsmaker, Rep. Terry Ridon said the hearing will proceed as scheduled without a stay order issued by the Supreme Court at the instance of Duterte and her allies. “Meron pong focus on confidential funds misuse… ito pong 14th,” Ridon said. [Translation: There will be a focus on confidential funds misuse… this April 14.] He said the committee will receive documents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Office of the Ombudsman. Ridon said the testimony of Ramil Madriaga, who earlier executed an affidavit about the funds, will be central to the hearing, along with officials from the Commission on Audit. “We would want him to give the truth to his affidavit and, of…