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President Bongbong Marcos appeals to the public against hoarding as food supply and prices are stable, even as retailers and consumers said rising fuel costs have otherwise resulted in a different market scenario.

Metro, Manila, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has cleared Senator Rodante Marcoleta of any election offense despite his failure to disclose ₱75 million in campaign contributions in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) for the 2025 senatorial race. In a resolution released Wednesday, March 18, the Comelec en banc adopted the recommendation of its Political Finance and Affairs Department to terminate the investigation into Marcoleta, citing a lack of evidence to establish that he committed any election offense. ”Nevertheless, this investigation has established the fact that [the] respondent did not comply [with] Section 109 of the Omnibus Election Code,” the department recommendation read.  It explained that while Section 109 requires the disclosure of contributors’ names, addresses, dates, and amounts in the SOCE, violations of this provision are not classified as election offenses, having been decriminalized under Republic Act 7166. However, the poll body said the same jurisprudence…

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. put the brakes on a planned fare hike Wednesday, March 18, ordering its suspension to shield commuters from rising costs while promising expanded government support for transport workers. In a video message, Marcos said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been directed to defer the increase, noting that workers, students, and daily commuters are already saddled with rising costs of fuel and basic commodities. “Kaya’t inutos ko sa DOTr na suspendihin muna ang fare hike at i-defer muna natin ‘yan,” Marcos said.  [Translation: I ordered the DOTr to suspend the fare hike and defer its implementation for now] “I-postpone na muna natin ‘yan dahil nasa gitna ngayon tayo nitong sitwasyon na ito na kailangan ay patuloy ang ating pag-alalay sa ating mga commuters, sa lahat ng mga ating manggagawa, mga estudyante, lahat ng gumagamit ng ating transport system,” he added.  [Translation: Let’s…

Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may soon be granted the authority to reduce or suspend fuel excise taxes after the House of Representatives adopted the Senate proposal, expediting the legislative process. Lawmakers announced the development during separate plenary sessions on Wednesday, March 18 — the last session day before the six-week congressional break. At the House, Deputy Majority Leader Luigi Villafuerte moved to adopt the Senate bill, which authorizes a tax cut if the average price of Dubai crude oil reaches or exceeds $80 per barrel for at least one month. No objections were raised. Unlike the House version, the Senate bill does not require the president to declare a state of national emergency or calamity, simplifying the process. It also shortens the duration of any tax reduction or suspension to three months, compared to the six months proposed by the House. ”This foregoes the bicam,” Senate…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The formal hearing of the House of Representatives on the impeachment suits against Vice President Sara Duterte, dubbed by the justice panel chairperson as a “mini trial,” will begin on March 25, after the committee declared the complaints sufficient in grounds. On Wednesday, March 18, panel members declared that there was sufficient grounds for the third and fourth complaints after reviewing the reply of Duterte submitted on March 16.  Batangas 2nd district Rep. Jinky Luistro, committee chairperson, set the hearings for March 25, April 14, April 22, and April 29.  The House earlier adopted a resolution, authorizing the panel to conduct hearings during the congressional recess from March 21 to May 3.  The hearing will determine whether there is probable cause to proceed to impeachment.  In a press briefing, Luistro said the complainants, witnesses, and respondent will be given the notice to attend the scheduled hearing. …