Manibela sets April 15-17 strike; Malacañang says move untimely
By Ashley Erika O. Jose and Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporters
TRANSPORT GROUP Manibela will stage a three-day nationwide strike starting April 15 to protest high fuel prices and what it described as government inaction, raising the risk of transport disruptions in key urban centers.
“We are declaring a nationwide transport strike to protest against the government, especially the Department of Energy and Department of Transportation’s negligence, and how oil companies are profiting from the oil crisis,” Manibela Chairman Mar S. Valbuena told a news briefing on Monday.
He said other transport groups are expected to join the action, including ride-hailing, taxi and motorcycle taxi drivers, potentially widening the scope of the disruption beyond traditional public utility vehicles (PUVs).
He said the group is calling for a rollback of as much as P57 a liter in fuel prices and the suspension of value-added tax on petroleum products to ease the burden on drivers and operators facing higher costs.
He added that the deferment of fare increases has further squeezed earnings in the sector.
“There should be relief for drivers and operators,” Mr. Valbuena said, referring to the government’s decision to suspend fare adjustments.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) last month deferred a scheduled increase in PUV fares to help cushion commuters from rising costs, a move that transport groups said shifted the burden to drivers.
Malacañang on Monday said the planned strike is “untimely,” warning that it could worsen the impact of the energy situation linked to war in the Middle East.
“We can see what the President and the administration are doing and have done for the transport sector,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a separate news briefing in Filipino. “They are being prioritized.”
She said the government is addressing the concerns of transport workers and urged groups to engage in dialogue instead of staging a strike.
The strike would not help address the impact of the Middle East crisis, Ms. Castro said, adding that what is needed is negotiation and cooperation.
Fuel prices have surged in recent weeks following the US-Israel war on Iran, cutting into the take-home pay of drivers and prompting calls for additional government support.
In response, the government has rolled out subsidies, including a P5,000 fuel subsidy for drivers through the Department of Transportation, on top of cash assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The LTFRB is set to deploy service PUVs on select routes starting April 15 under a service contracting program funded by the 2026 General Appropriations Act. The program compensates drivers and operators to provide free rides to commuters while ensuring continued income for transport workers.
In Metro Manila, the program will cover the EDSA Bus Carousel and routes served by modern and traditional jeepneys, including those linked to Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit stations and other major transport hubs.
Authorities said the program is meant to cushion the impact of reduced transport supply during the strike and support both commuters and drivers affected by rising fuel costs.
The Department of Energy said fuel prices might ease in the near term, with diesel expected to decline by P20.89 per liter, gasoline by P4.43, and kerosene by P8.50 starting on Tuesday due to market adjustments.
However, officials warned that price movements remain volatile and dependent on global developments, particularly in the Middle East, where disruptions to supply routes could trigger further spikes.
Transport groups have also urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to consider using emergency powers to suspend or reduce excise taxes on fuel, a measure that could provide broader relief across the sector.
The President on Monday said he approved the suspension of excise taxes on liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene to soften the impact of rising fuel costs on households, while leaving levies on gasoline and diesel unchanged.
The selective suspension is expected to provide modest relief to household budgets but may have limited effect on transport costs and inflation, which are more sensitive to diesel prices.
ASEAN ministers call for restraint in ME conflict
FOREIGN MINISTERS of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called for restraint and a return to diplomacy amid tensions in the Middle East (ME), warning that prolonged instability could disrupt global trade and energy flows critical to the region.
In a joint statement posted on the ASEAN website on April 13, the ministers said they welcome the recent pause in hostilities and urged concerned parties to sustain dialogue toward a peaceful resolution. They stressed the need to uphold international law and avoid actions that could further escalate the situation.
“We reaffirm the importance of maintaining maritime safety and security, and upholding freedom of navigation in and overflight above straits used for international navigation,” they said.
The ministers also cited the importance of keeping key maritime routes open, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil shipments.
Any disruption in the waterway could drive up fuel costs and trigger supply chain pressures for Southeast Asian economies that rely heavily on imported energy, they said.
ASEAN said stability in global shipping lanes remains essential to economic activity in the region, where trade and logistics are closely linked to external markets. The group warned that volatility in energy markets could spill over into higher transport and food costs, adding to inflation risks.
ASEAN cited the need to protect civilians and ensure the safe passage of vessels in accordance with international conventions. It also reiterated support for peaceful dialogue as the primary means of resolving conflicts.
ASEAN ministers said they are closely monitoring developments and assessing potential impacts on member economies, including risks to growth and fiscal stability.
They noted that disruptions in oil supply could affect power generation costs, transport fares, and production expenses across industries.
The bloc also pointed to the broader implications for global supply chains, as shipping disruptions could delay goods movement and raise logistics costs. For export-oriented economies in Southeast Asia, such risks could weigh on trade performance if the situation worsens.
The conflict, which began on Feb. 28, has triggered fuel shocks after disruptions in shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil trade.
On April 8, the US and Iran agreed to a 14-day ceasefire followed by peace talks facilitated by Pakistan on April 10. However, negotiations failed to produce a deal after a 20-hour discussion covering the status of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s uranium enrichment program, the unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian funds and reparations tied to wartime damages.
Less than a day after the ceasefire announcement, Israel — an ally of the US —launched strikes against Lebanon, which reportedly killed 254 people, according to Reuters. The escalation added to concerns that the fragile pause in hostilities could collapse, further destabilizing the region.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro told a Senate committee hearing on crisis response that further negotiations remain possible but warned of rising risks.
“There just might be subsequent rounds of negotiations,” she said. “We expect tensions to escalate following President [Donald J.] Trump’s announcement last night of a blockade of all traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.”
US Central Command later clarified that the restriction would apply only to maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports starting April 13, correcting earlier remarks from Mr. Trump that suggested a broader naval blockade. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel and NPA
Philippines warns of ‘sabotage’ after cyanide seizure in South China Sea atoll
THE Philippines discovered cyanide on Chinese boats operating around a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, security officials from the country said on Monday.
Authorities said laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the highly toxic substance in bottles seized by the Philippine navy in operations at Second Thomas Shoal last year.
Officials warned the cyanide could have had serious consequences for marine life and weakened the reef supporting a warship that Manila grounded on the atoll to reinforce its maritime claim.
“We wish to underscore that the use of cyanide in Ayungin Shoal is a form of sabotage that seeks to kill local fish populations, depriving Navy personnel of a vital food source,” Cornelio Valencia, National Security Council spokesman, told a press conference, using the Philippines’ name for the atoll. He added that cyanide could damage the reef and “ultimately compromise” the warship’s stability.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The Philippines has accused China of disrupting resupply missions to troops on the vessel, including a June 17, 2024 incident that turned violent and resulted in a Filipino sailor losing a finger.
China has denied allegations of aggressive conduct during such encounters and accused the Philippines of trespassing in its waters.
The June confrontation later led to a provisional understanding for resupply missions to the grounded ship.
China and the Philippines held high-level talks last month over the South China Sea, exploring preliminary steps towards oil and gas cooperation, and confidence-building measures at sea, including communications between their coast guards.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs has said the scope of the coast guard cooperation would be limited and “does not contemplate cooperation in sensitive operational areas,” adding that there had been no discussions on joint patrols.
China claims almost all the South China Sea, including areas claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
A 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal found Beijing’s sweeping claims had no basis under international law, a decision China rejects. More than $3 trillion in annual ship-borne commerce travels through the key waterway. — Reuters
Marcos urges Filipinos not to hoard diesel
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. urged Filipinos not to hoard diesel as the government warned of prolonged pressure on fuel prices following the failure of the US and Iran to reach a peace agreement.
In a video message on Sunday, Mr. Marcos appealed for restraint and cooperation, warning that panic buying could worsen supply pressures during an already fragile period in global oil markets.
“It is sad and upsetting to see some of the incidents we have seen recently because in the midst of what we are going through, they have chosen to only think about themselves,” he said in Filipino, referring to reports of disorder at fuel stations.
Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the breakdown in negotiations between Washington and Tehran was “bad news” for expectations of a lasting ceasefire, noting that continued tensions would likely affect petroleum products.
“Definitely, if this continues, it will affect petroleum products,” she said in Filipino, adding that the Philippines maintains amicable ties with Iran, which considers Manila a “nonhostile” country.
Ms. Castro said diplomatic relations might help maintain communication channels, but stressed that the Philippines remains exposed to global oil shocks as an import-dependent economy.
Fuel prices have climbed in recent weeks due to supply disruptions linked to the Iran conflict, contributing to a rise in inflation in March to a near two-year high.
Reports of diesel hoarding emerged in some areas as motorists rushed to refuel amid uncertainty over future price movements. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
Marcos debunks health rumors
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday appeared before Palace reporters to slam rumors about his health.
Doing jumping jacks before a surprise briefing at the Palace, he challenged anyone saying he is sick to exercise with him.
“You come to the gym with me, let’s see who’s stronger in lifting weights,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.
He said the last time he visited a hospital was during his diverticulitis scare last January.
He is taking maintenance medicine for gout, Allopurinol, and another for hypertension.
After his briefing, he encouraged Palace reporters to run with him back to his office.
Rumors against his health started after he shed visible weight following his January hospitalization. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
Admin support up in March — poll
SUPPORT for the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and the political opposition saw significant increases in March, even as the pro-Duterte bloc maintained its position as the country’s largest political faction.
In a survey released on Monday, the nonpartisan public opinion research firm WR Numero reported that the rise in partisan alignment follows a sharp contraction in the number of Filipinos identifying as independents.
The March 2026 Philippine Public Opinion Monitor revealed that those identifying as supporters of the Marcoses and their allies rose to 22.2%, up from 14.7% in November 2025.
Similarly, the share of Filipinos siding with opposition figures such as former Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, and Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV jumped to 16.8% from the previous 12.2%.
These gains coincided with a 14.4-percentage-point drop in the “independent” category, which fell to 24.8% during the same period.
The pro-Duterte bloc remains the dominant force in Philippine politics with 32.7%, despite a marginal dip from 33.9% in late 2025.
According to WR Numero, the Duterte camp showed the highest level of internal cohesion, with 65.9% of its base identifying as “solid” or steadfast supporters. This stability persists as Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio announced her 2028 presidential bid and despite concurrent impeachment proceedings against her in the House of Representatives.
Regionally, the Duterte family consolidated its influence in Mindanao, where support reached 72.7%, and maintained a lead in the Visayas at 34%.
In contrast, the Marcos camp’s growth was most pronounced in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, where its supporters overtook those identifying as independents.
Support for the administration jumped to 30.3% from 15.7% in the capital and to 29.3% from 21.9% in the Rest of Luzon.
However, WR Numero noted that the pro-Marcos base appears “comparatively softer” than its rivals, as only about a third, or 32.8% of its identified supporters are considered “solid,” while nearly a quarter (23.3%) also expressed alignment with the Duterte faction.
The opposition’s growth was primarily fueled by surges in the Visayas, where support rose to 22% from 10.4%, and the Rest of Luzon, which saw an increase to 21.9% from 15.2%.
These gains were tempered by slight declines in Metro Manila, down to 16%, and Mindanao, down to 3.2%.
The survey was conducted from March 10 to 17, using face-to-face interviews with 1,455 respondents nationwide. It carries a national margin of error of ±3 and a 95% confidence level.
The research firm indicated that the shifting landscape suggests a more polarized electorate as voters move away from neutral stances toward established political blocs. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking
5,400 Filipinos in ME repatriated
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday said a total of 5,404 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents have been brought home by the government’s repatriation efforts since March 5 amid the Middle East (ME) conflict.
During the Senate Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy Committee hearing, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the government has so far chartered nine flights from the war-stricken region.
Of the total returnees, 4,234 were OFWs and 1,170 were their dependents.
On Monday, a total of 342 Filipinos from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates were repatriated through the government’s ninth chartered flight.
On the same day, 109 OFWs from Doha, Qatar also returned through a government-funded commercial flight.
He added that repatriating another 5,000 OFWs may take the government about three to four weeks.
According to Mr. Cacdac, the DMW has spent P1.2 billion, or 50% of its Action Funds for the crisis programs for OFWs apart from the repatriation, such as legal, medical, and financial assistance.
“We devote a certain amount of money for the financial [assistance], we have given 4,478 OFWs on the ground financial assistance for work-disrupted OFWs similar to the COVID-19 assistance that we had which is $200,” Mr. Cacdac added.
Mr. Cacdac said the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration have a 60-40 ratio in shouldering the costs of their crisis response.
Last week, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development reported that prolonged conflict between the US and Iran may also lead to job losses for 200,000 OFWs. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
New Tourism chief takes oath
TRADE diplomat Maria Bernardita Angara-Mathay took her oath before President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday as the new secretary of Tourism.
Ms. Mathay took her oath at the Presidential Palace on Monday afternoon.
Prior to her appointment, she was commercial counselor at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo, leading strategic partnerships with Japanese firms.
The Palace earlier said her appointment reflects the administration’s push to position tourism as a driver of jobs, businesses and regional development. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
Sinlaku won’t directly impact PHL
SUPER Typhoon Sinlaku (international name) is not expected to directly affect the Philippines, the state weather bureau said on Monday, though high heat index temperatures are expected in the coming days.
Sinlaku was last located 2,440 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 265 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 4 p.m. monitoring.
The super typhoon is moving northward at a speed of 10 kph.
PAGASA said Sinlaku has little to no chance of entering the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), as its trajectory is northward heading near Japan.
“It will have no direct effect on the country because it is far away,” Benison Jay Estareja, PAGASA weather specialist, said in a phone interview in Filipino.
Mr. Estareja added that Sinlaku may slightly increase the chances of localized rain in the eastern section of the country.
However, fair weather and hot temperatures will likely be the prevailing weather conditions in the next few days.
“Our advice is to continue taking protective measures against the high heat index because we may still experience it in the coming days,” Mr. Estareja said, urging the public to stay hydrated and avoid going outdoors during peak hours if possible.
The public is also advised to keep monitoring updates from PAGASA, as the super typhoon is still far from the country and changes in projections remain possible.
Meanwhile, a heat index of above 32°C is expected across the country until Tuesday, except in the Cordillera Administrative Region, PAGASA said in its heat index forecast released on Sunday.
General Santos City and Sangley Point in Cavite City are projected to record the highest heat index on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
Mr. Estareja said PAGASA is not seeing any other tropical cyclones forming until next week, which is also reflected in its Tropical Cyclone Threat Potential forecast.
Fewer typhoons are expected to form or enter PAR during the dry season, which started in March.
This may be further exacerbated by the impending El Niño phenomenon, which could be declared as early as June. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
NNIC warns of flight disruption amid Middle East airspace restriction
THE New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), operator of the country’s main gateway, said select international flights will be affected by ongoing airspace restrictions linked to the Middle East conflict.
“Flights on affected routes may be subject to delays, rerouting, rescheduling, or cancellation, with some congestion in parts of the airport also possible as a result,” NNIC said in an advisory on Monday.
The private operator said that passengers are advised to check with their airlines in advance for any flight adjustments.
Local carriers earlier announced some flight adjustments for both international and domestic flights due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines has extended the suspension of its Manila-Doha and Manila-Dubai flights until May 31, citing risks to overall airspace safety and critical infrastructure.
Last month, the airline also announced the suspension of several domestic routes, including Clark-Siargao starting May 4, Cebu-Ozamiz starting May 5, and Cebu-Calbayog starting May 6, until further notice.
Cebu Pacific has also announced that it is recalibrating its network, including reducing flight frequencies and canceling selected routes due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The airline suspended five routes — Davao-Bangkok, Iloilo-Bangkok, Iloilo-Singapore, Singapore-Iloilo, and Clark-Hanoi-Clark — until October 2026.
It also reduced weekly services for selected domestic and international routes from April to October, including Cebu-Singapore, Singapore-Cebu, Manila-Jakarta, Jakarta-Manila, Manila-Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur-Manila, Manila-Melbourne-Manila, and Manila-Sydney-Manila. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
Transfer of BSKE funds for oil crisis unconstitutional, senator says
A SENATOR on Monday said delaying the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to realign the polls’ budget to aid the oil crisis is unconstitutional but the funds may be treated as savings to make the process adherent to law.
In a press release, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo M. Lacson pointed out that the transfer of the P16-billion BSKE funds being eyed for the oil crisis response may only be constitutional if returned to the Bureau of the Treasury.
“Comelec (Commission on Elections) may opt not to spend the funds for the BSKE and declare them as savings to be returned to the Treasury,” Mr. Lacson said.
The proposal was made after Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia raised the unconstitutionality of the proposal to transfer BSKE funds outside the agency.
“As a constitutional body, we can return unspent funds as savings. That could be a strategy for Congress to consider — rather than transferring the funds, the elections may not proceed and the allocated budget would not be spent,” Mr. Garcia said in a radio interview on Monday.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Alfredo Abelardo B. Benitez previously pushed for the postponement of the BSKE.
In August, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed into law Republic Act No. 12232 which moved the BSKE from Dec. 1, 2025 to Nov. 2 this year to give way for the supposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s first-ever parliamentary elections last year. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
Nearly 4M register for village and youth polls
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has processed nearly four million voter registration applications nationwide as of mid-April in the lead-up to the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
Latest data released by the poll body on Monday showed that almost 3.91 million applications have been processed, a significant surge in registration activity as the May 18 deadline approaches.
The figures reflect a robust participation rate across all regions, with female applicants totaling 2.017 million and male applicants at 1.891 million.
The Calabarzon region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) recorded the highest number of new registrants with 642,217 applications. This was followed by Central Luzon with 434,920 and the National Capital Region with 397,540. Other regions with high turnout include Bicol with 235,596 and Central Visayas with 230,838.
Meanwhile, special registration initiatives such as the Register Anywhere Program have also reported over 9,000 applications processed at the main office.
The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections will be held on Nov. 2, with voter registration continuing until May 18, according to the poll body. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking