Manila Times
Russia ready to help with Asean oil crisis
RUSSIAN Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov has assured envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) of Russia’s readiness to help the 11-member regional bloc address their oil crisis triggered by the Middle East war. The...
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Philippines eyes ‘deepening cooperation’ with Iran on energy
THE Philippines is committed to “deepening cooperation” with Iran, particularly on energy, Manila’s foreign secretary said on Wednesday as the importdependent archipelago jockeys with other regional countries for desperately needed oil. The price of...
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NEW EXPRESSWAY
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. listens to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon during the opening of the 4-kilometer Central Luzon Link Expressway Contract Package 4 in Nueva Ecija, completing the vital east-west connection in Central Luzon. It is...
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Petron secures 2.5M barrels of Russian oil BY ED PAOLO SALTING, AFP
THE Philippines’ sole oil refinery has secured nearly 2.5 million barrels of Russian crude out of “extreme necessity,” a stock exchange filing revealed Monday, as the country seeks to replenish fastdwindling fuel reserves. The Philippines has seen the...
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DAY OF PALMS
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula blesses palm fronds at the Manila Cathedral on March 29, 2026. Palm Sunday ushers in Holy Week, a time when most Filipinos pause to reflect on the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
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Missiles, drones rain on Gulf states, Israel
TEHRAN — Gulf countries and Israel came under missile fire and Israeli forces struck Iran on Saturday, as the war raged into its second month. In a sign that the conflict may be expanding further, Israel’s military said air defenses responded to a...
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PEOPLE’S PROTEST
Multi-sectoral groups march to Mendiola in Manila for the ‘Welga ng Bayan’ on March 27, 2026. The No to Oil Price Hike Coalition demanded the nationalization of the oil industry and an end to the US war of aggression in Iran, which it says is causing a...
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Russian oil arrives, boosts buffer stock
ASHIP carrying more than 700,000 barrels of Russian crude oil has arrived in the Philippines, a source with knowledge of the matter told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday, days after the country declared a national energy emergency over the Middle...
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Marcos gets power to suspend fuel tax
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday signed into law a bill granting him the power to suspend or reduce excise tax on fuel products. The president signed Republic Act (RA) 12316 as part of the government’s efforts to cushion the impact of...
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Shortage of jet fuel may ground planes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned of “a distinct possibility” of aircraft being grounded due to a looming shortage of jet fuel brought by the war in the Middle East. In an interview with Bloomberg, Marcos cited limitations in crude oil supply and...
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US, Iran threaten to hit power plants
ARAD, Israel — The United States and Iran threatened to target critical infrastructure on Sunday as the war in the Middle East, now in its fourth week, puts lives and livelihoods at risk throughout the region.
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PASSIONTIDE
A deacon and altar servers of the Apostolic Catholic Church drape religious images with purple cloth on March 22, 2026, to mark Passiontide. The tradition, observed during the final weeks of Lent, symbolizes the Church’s deepening focus on the Passion...
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WONDER BOY
A young Muslim joins in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on March 21, 2026, marking the end of the monthlong fasting of Ramadan.
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IN THE CAN
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspects a canned fish and meat company in Calamba City on March 20, 2026, as part of efforts to ensure a stable food supply in the country. The president was accompanied by Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque,...
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Oil surges to $113 as Gulf plants burn
OIL surged more than 5 percent on Thursday and stocks sank as Iran attacked several Gulf energy facilities and warned of more in retaliation for a strike on one of its key gas fields. Brent crude soared past $113 per barrel as Tehran threatened to...
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Marcos suspends fare adjustments
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend scheduled fare hikes for public transportation, saying the government needs to support commuters, workers and students, and ”everyone who uses our...
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Govt OKs higher transport fares
THE government on Tuesday approved fare hikes for jeepneys, buses, airport taxis, and ride-hailing services beginning this week, citing sustained increases in fuel prices, maintenance costs and wages. For traditional jeepneys, the minimum fare was...
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Premium gas, diesel to hit P100 this week
THE cost of diesel and premium gasoline will shoot up to more than P100 a liter at some gas stations this week as oil companies impose another massive round of price hikes due to supply disruptions from the ongoing war in the Middle East. The sizable...
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PUV drivers to get P5,000 fuel subsidy
PUBLIC utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Metro Manila will receive a P5,000 fuel subsidy from the government beginning Tuesday, March 17, the Palace announced on Wednesday as authorities moved to cushion the impact of a sharp rise in oil prices...
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LINING UP FOR GAS
People queue at a gas station in Istanbul on March 6, 2026, as fears have grown of a possible inflationary wave as war in the Middle East sends energy prices shooting upwards. Many countries are watching for the impact on petrol prices after US and...
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INDIGNATION RALLY
A women’s group marches from the Philippine Children’s Medical Center to the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City on March 6, 2026, to file a complaint against Rep. Jesus ‘Bong’ Suntay following his ‘inappropriate remarks’ on actress Anne Curtis. The...
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Baligod, 22 others face cyberlibel suit
FORMER senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday filed criminal complaints against lawyer Levito Baligod, 18 former marines and several pro-Duterte personalities for cyber libel and perjury when they accused him of accepting $2 million to bribe...
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FIRM GRIP
THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) appealed for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East and called all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint and to respect international law. The Asean said it has been...
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OFF LIMITS
Police cordon off the area where a civilian helicopter in Upper Barak, Barangay Quisao, Pililla, Rizal, crashed on March 3, 2026. Authorities reported that two people were killed and three others were injured in the incident.
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WAR DAMAGE
A man inspects a building damaged in an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburb of Haret Hreik of Beirut the on March 2, 2026. Israel bombarded Lebanon, expanding conflict across the region after the massive Israel-US attack on Iran that President...
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MOURNED AND SCORNED
Supporters of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint United States and Israeli strikes, mourn his death at a square in Tehran on March 1, 2026. Meanwhile, the inset photo shows people holding the portrait of Reza Pahlavi,...
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US, Israel launch Iranian offensive
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida — US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced a major attack against Iran, vowing to “annihilate” its navy and missile sites and telling Iranians their “hour of freedom” had come from the Islamic republic. In a video...
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FINAL STATEMENTS
International Criminal Court (ICC) Judges (from left) Reine Alapini-Gansou, Iulia Motoc, and Socorro Flores Liera listen to the concluding remarks of defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman and the Prosecution’s Julian Nicholls during the last day of the...
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‘No link between threats, murders’
THERE is no proven link between the “uniquely colorful and crusty” speeches of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte and the murders he is accused of, his defense lawyer told the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday.
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BLOCKED
Policemen stand their ground as they block a group of rallyists near the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City on Feb. 25, 2026. Thousands showed up to mark the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
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‘Duterte, dela Rosa led EJK campaig▪’
FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte personally drew up “death lists” and boasted about murders committed during his “war on drugs,” an International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor alleged Tuesday at a crimes against humanity hearing. On Day Two of...
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WATCHERS
Relatives of alleged extrajudicial killing victims watch the confirmation of charges hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on Feb. 23, 2026.
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ICC starts Duterte pre-trial heari▪g
Tits confirmation of charges hearing against former president Rodrigo Duterte today, Feb. 23, in The (ague. The four-day proceedings include the annual review of Duterte’s detention, a procedural step designed to determine if he is kt to participate...
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NO POLITICS, SAYS MARCOS IN PINK SOCKS FOR LENI
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday dismissed speculation that his visit to Naga City, bailiwick of Mayor Leni Robredo, was political — although he wore pink socks “in her honor.” Speaking to reporters after inspecting the ongoing operations...
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Duterte to skip pre-trial heari▪g
THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted former president Rodrigo Duterte’s request to skip the hearing for the confirmation of charges against him on Feb. 23. In a court document issued on Friday, the ICC 0re-Trial Chamber I said the...
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Marcos, Robredo meeting in Naga
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and former vice president and current Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo will meet in Naga City on Saturday, Malacañañg announced Thursday, a day after Vice President Sara Duterte declared she would run for president in the...
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Duterte announces ‘28 presidential run
VICE President Sara Duterte on Wednesday announced her intention to run for president in 2028, beginning a 51-month journey to the highest office in the land despite the political challenges she is facing. Her announcement, made at a press conference...
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HERE BE DRAGONS
Binondo district in Manila thrums with life on Feb. 17, 2026, during the celebration of Chinese New Year. Thousands of visitors filled the streets to watch lion and dragon dances and colorful parades.
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INSPECTION
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the inspection of Megawide’s pre-cast plant in Rizal on Feb. 16, 2026. He was joined by (from left) Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene Acosta, Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon...
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FOR ASH WEDNESDAY
Fr. Robert Reyes blesses palm leaves that were burnt at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Project 8, Quezon City, on Feb. 15, 2026. The ashes will be used to mark the foreheads of the faithful on Ash Wednesday.
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ACCESS TO POWER SUBSIDIES
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attends the collective response to SONA directives on lifeline rate subsidy, net metering, total electrification, and Terra Solar project in Pasig City on Feb. 14, 2026. Under the program, the government hopes to...
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LET’S DRINK TO THAT
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) leads the sake barrel breaking ceremony and groundbreaking of the Metro Manila Subway Project — Kalayaan and Bonifacio Global City (BGC) stations at Uptown BGC in Taguig City — on Feb. 13, 2026. Designated as...
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UNDER HEAVY GUARD
Former senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla arrives at the Department of Justice on Feb. 12, 2026, for the continuation of the preliminary investigation in relation to the plunder case filed against him.
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SIGNED
Education Secretary Sonny Angara looks on as governors and other local officials sign a landmark agreement under which local government units will have a bigger role in the construction of classrooms. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the new system...
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LOVE BLOOMS IN INTRAMUROS
A couple have their picture taken at a love booth in Intramuros, Manila, on Feb. 10, 2026. The Walled City is one of the popular tourist destinations in Manila.
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Se▪ate coup attempt falls short, Sotto says
SENATE President Vicente “Tito” Sotto said Thursday the instigator of a coup in the upper chamber failed to gain the 13 signatures required to trigger a leadership change. With the help of his bloc in the majority, Sotto on Wednesday survived a bid by...
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DRAGON DANCE
Performers delight mall goers in Quezon City with a vibrant dragon and lion dance presentation on Feb. 3, 2026, ahead of the Chinese New Year. The traditional performance is believed to bring good fortune and drive away negative spirits.
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Marcos trust, performance ratings decline in Q4 2025
PUBLIC trust in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declined in the fourth quarter of 2025, while Vice President Sara Duterte recorded gains in both trust and performance ratings, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) nationwide survey released by...
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FLOWER CENTER
Women walk under an arch at the Dangwa Flower Market in Manila on Feb. 1, 2026. The prices of flowers are slowly inching up as Valentine’s Day approaches.
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Key agencies support education plan
THE Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) vowed to implement the National Education and Workforce Development Plan 2026-2035 released by the Second...
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PH among Asean’s top tourism economies
THE Philippines has emerged as one of the strongest tourism economies in Southeast Asia, ranking among the region’s top contributors in economic impact and employment generation, according to a report presented at the Asean Tourism Ministers’ Meeting...
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TRAVEL EXPO OPENS
The Philippines opens the Asean Travel Exchange (Travex), the biggest travel event for Asean member countries, at the newly opened Mactan Expo, an iconic convention center that is close to the beach, built by property giant Megaworld at The Mactan...
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ICC sets terms for Duterte’s heari▪g
THE International Criminal Court’s (ICC) PreTrial Chamber I has issued the full schedule AND PROCEDURAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE CONfiRMAtion of charges hearing of former president Rodrigo Duterte. The court fixed the proceedings for Feb. 23–27, while...
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SUPERSTAR
Alex Eala signs caps brought by fans at the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open on Jan. 27, 2026. The Filipino tennis ace is seeking a quarterfinals berth after beating Russian Alina Charaeva on Tuesday.
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18 dead as ferry sinks off Basilan
SEARCH and rescue operations intensified after a ferry with more than 360 people onboard sank Monday morning in choppy seas off Zamboanga, leaving at least 18 dead and 24 still missing, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. The MV Trisha Kerstin 3...
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Q4 rebound unlikely; growth miss expected
ECONOMIC growth likely slowed further in the fourth quarter as a massive corruption scandal continued to weigh on spending and sentiment, analysts said, dragging the fullyear result to well below target. The median forecast was 3.7 percent for the...
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WHERE IT HAPPENED
A map of Lanao del Norte shows the town of Munai, where four government soldiers were ambushed, allegedly by a local terrorist group, while conducting non-combat activities on Jan. 23, 2026.
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FROST BLANKETS BENGUET AS TEMPERATURE DIPS
BENGUET — Frost has blanketed vegetable farms as temperatures in the towns of Atok and Kibungan, as well as in other parts of the province, continued to plunge to single-digit levels. On Friday, farmer PJ Haight, who has several temperature-reading...
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House rejects 2 more complai▪ts vs Marcos
TWO more impeachment cases were filed against President Ferdinand Marcos jrN at the House of Representatives on ThursdayL but the Office of the Secretary General refused to accept the complaintsN The earlier complaint was filed by militant groups led...
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Trillanes, civil society group accuse Duterte of plunder
FORMER senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV and a civil society group filed plunder, malversation and graft complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday. Trillanes and The Silent Majority said Duterte, a...
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Court orders Revilla detained in QC jail
FORMER senator Bong Revilla, facing charges over a P92.8-million ghost flood control project in Bulacan, was detained at the Quezon City Jail in Payatas upon the order of the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division. Reports from the Quezon City Police District...
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Lacson defends probe panel, tells critics to ‘shut the f... up’
SEN. Panfilo Lacson said the investigation on the ghost flood control projects led to reforms in crafting the national budget and the freezing of at least P21.7 billion in bank accounts owned by persons linked to the anomaly. Lacson, chairman of the...
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‘Ada’leaves 2 dead in Bicol
AT least two persons died as Tropical Storm Ada hit the Bicol Region, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday. The NDRRMC said a 22-year-old male and a 19-year-old female were killed when a landslide...
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ICI HALTING OPERATIONS DUE TO LACK OF QUORUM
THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will submit a report to the Office of the President (OP), even as it remains unable to resume official operations due to lack of a quorum following the resignation of its two commissioners. In a...
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