Marcos inaugurates Megaworld’s Mactan Expo in Cebu

March 17, 2026 | 12:01 am

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. inaugurated Megaworld’s Mactan Expo, a two-level standalone convention center with a beachfront location within the 30-hectare Mactan Newtown township in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

“The Mactan Expo serves as an important platform for Cebu and for the Philippines, opening new opportunities for tourism, business, and investment in our country. It is a strong example of how the government and the private sector can work together — from start to finish — to deliver something meaningful and successful,” Kevin L. Tan, president and chief executive officer of Alliance Global Group, Inc., the parent company of Megaworld, said in a statement on Monday.

The inauguration coincided with the 505^th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines and supports Lapu-Lapu City’s goal of becoming a premier meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) destination.

“In many ways, Mactan Expo will become a lasting legacy for our country — a place where the Philippines can host major international gatherings for many years to come. And right beside Mactan Expo, we are also developing the Mactan World Museum, which will celebrate Cebu’s rich heritage and its important role in shaping our nation’s story,” Mr. Tan said.

“Together, these developments further strengthen Cebu’s role as a gateway for tourism and business in the Philippines,” he added.

After recently hosting the ASEAN Travel Exchange, Mactan Expo will also host the 48^th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in May, with heads of state expected from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Located opposite Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ Mercure Mactan Cebu and Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, Mactan Expo features a high-ceiling, pillarless convention hall that can accommodate nearly 3,000 guests in a theater setup.

The hall includes an expansive foyer and pre-function areas and can be divided into three smaller halls. Additional facilities include meeting rooms, foyers, VIP lounges, a showroom, and a veranda overlooking Mactan Newtown Beach and the island’s coastal landscape.

Megaworld said the Expo incorporates elements of Filipino design through collaborations with designers and Cebuano artists. The structure uses indigenous textures, natural finishes, and materials inspired by Cebu’s landscapes and craftsmanship, with walls featuring embedded shells sourced from local shores.

Shares in Megaworld Corp. fell by 0.47% to P2.10 apiece on Monday. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

Fed to hold interest rates steady as Middle East war scrambles economic outlook

March 17, 2026 | 12:01 am

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell — FEDERAL RESERVE

US FEDERAL RESERVE officials are widely expected to hold interest rates steady at their meeting this week, as attention shifts to how they may respond if fallout from war in the Middle East pulls their policy goals in opposite directions.

The US-Israeli assault on Iran has injected significant uncertainty into the economic outlook, with a sharp rise in oil prices threatening to put pressure on inflation and dampen economic growth. At the same time, lackluster employment data are forcing policymakers to reconsider their assessment of the labor market’s stability.

The combination means Chairman Jerome H. Powell and his colleagues on the Federal Open Market Committee could soon find that their aims call for diverging policy responses — lower rates to support the labor market or keep rates elevated to contain inflation.

For now, officials are likely to signal they remain in a wait-and-see mode as they take the rapidly evolving conflict in the Middle East on board, said Aditya Bhave, senior US economist at BofA Securities.

“They don’t want to jump to conclusions. This is a supply shock,” Mr. Bhave said of the jump in oil prices. “Supply shocks increase the risk to both sides of their mandate.”

Alongside the economic complexities, a tense and consequential political drama hangs over this week’s Fed gathering.

A federal judge’s move last week to quash Department of Justice (DoJ) subpoenas targeted at Mr. Powell represented a win for the central bank. But US Attorney Jeanine Pirro vowed to press on with efforts to investigate the Fed and its chief. That could disrupt a leadership transition at the central bank expected in May.

WAR AND OIL
After cutting interest rates three times in late 2025, Fed officials left their policy rate unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75% in January. With the labor market at the time showing signs of steadying, policymakers broadly indicated they were comfortable keeping rates on hold, possibly for an extended time, to keep downward pressure on inflation that’s been above their goal for five years.

That was all before the war. Since the attacks on Iran began, Brent crude — the global oil benchmark — has surged, topping $100 per barrel. A handful of policymakers who weighed in during the earliest days of the conflict highlighted the “textbook” approach that says an energy price shock has only a temporary impact on inflation and requires no response.

But the ability to employ that strategy depends on several factors, including how long the conflict lasts, whether the public’s expectations for inflation remain in check and whether price jumps in energy filter through to other parts of the economy.

Complicating the picture, inflation isn’t the only potential fallout. Should oil prices remain elevated, consumption, growth and employment could all suffer, a combination that calls for lower, not higher, rates.

The most recent data, released on Friday, showed consumer spending barely rose in January, suggesting the economy was losing momentum even before the war.

What’s more, officials weren’t all on the same page about the inflation outlook heading into the conflict. Some, such as Fed Governor Christopher Waller, have argued that inflation, stripping out the temporary effects of tariffs, is tracking toward the Fed’s objective. Others have said inflation has been too high for too long, undermining the central bank’s credibility.

Those varying views could shape how much tolerance different policymakers have for fresh inflationary pressures, said Laura Rosner-Warburton, a senior economist at MacroPolicy Perspectives.

“If you thought that you had more of a problem before the shock even hit that required mildly restrictive policy for longer, then another shock could imply even more risk,” she said. “And so you may be less willing to respond to any negative growth implications or labor implications because of the ongoing and persistent risk on the inflation side.”

‘DO NO HARM’
Policymakers will need to grapple with all that when crafting their post-meeting statement, set for release at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Washington, as will Mr. Powell in his 2:30 p.m. press conference. Officials will also release a fresh set of economic forecasts and rate projections.

The statement, and Mr. Powell in his remarks, will likely acknowledge heightened uncertainty, while emphasizing the need to remain flexible in responding to volatile political and economic conditions, said Michael Pugliese, senior economist at Wells Fargo & Co.

“What markets want is more certainty on the geopolitical outlook,” he said. The Fed is likely to take a “first, do no harm” approach, he added. “You don’t want to have a knee-jerk reaction either way and then have it age poorly.”

Powell will also likely be pressed on the state of the labor market after a surprisingly weak February jobs report. The data may prompt him and other policymakers to temper their view that the labor market is stabilizing.

Other officials — such as Waller, Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman and Governor Stephen Miran — have continued to signal an openness to rate cuts, pointing to signs of fragility in the labor market. At least one official has dissented against the majority’s decision at each of the Fed’s last five meetings, and that’s likely to continue.

“You have things that could affect the employment side of the mandate being a downward risk, and the upward risk for the inflation part,” said Loretta Mester, a former president of the Cleveland Fed. “Different people on that committee will have different views, and I don’t think it’s obvious what the right view is.”

DOJ PROBE
A government investigation into the Fed and Mr. Powell could also feature in his press conference. In an opinion made public Friday, US District Chief Judge James Boasberg blocked subpoenas the DoJ served the central bank in January related to renovations of the Fed’s headquarters.

Mr. Boasberg said the government had advanced no evidence to justify the subpoenas and that evidence suggested the DoJ issued them to pressure Mr. Powell into voting for lower interest rates or resigning.

Ms. Pirro vowed to appeal, a step that may disrupt the expected handover of the Fed’s leadership to Kevin Warsh, President Donald J. Trump’s pick to succeed Powell when his term as chair ends in May.

For one, the appeal could delay Mr. Warsh’s confirmation in the Senate, where it’s being blocked by Republican Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Tillis is a member of the banking committee that vets Fed nominees, and he’s pledged not to vote to advance Mr. Warsh until the DoJ probe is fully resolved.

Such a delay may also serve to extend Mr. Powell’s influence over monetary policy. While his leadership of the Board of Governors expires in May, his separate term as a governor continues until 2028. In that role, he is eligible to continue as head of the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank’s rate-setting panel.

Mr. Powell has not said publicly whether he will stay on. But in filings made public after Mr. Boasberg’s ruling, the Fed’s attorneys said Mr. Powell had made clear that to defend the central bank’s independence, “he could not resign while the criminal investigation is pending.” — Bloomberg News

SEC fines Nittan Capital Finance over disclosure issues

March 17, 2026 | 12:01 am

THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) has fined Nittan Capital Finance, Inc. (NCFI) P88,500 for failing to fully disclose charges, interest rates, amortization schedules, and other fees before borrowers signed loan agreements.

In a statement on Monday, the SEC said its Financing and Lending Companies Department (FLCD) found that NCFI violated Republic Act No. 3765, or the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), in relation to SEC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 7, Series of 2011.

Acting on a complaint, the FLCD identified several material deficiencies in NCFI’s borrower disclosures, including incomplete information on upfront charges and amortization schedules.

The company also failed to disclose key conditional charges in pre-consummation documents, taxes passed on to borrowers, and the effective interest rate, the SEC said.

TILA requires creditors to disclose the full cost of credit, including interest and fees, before borrowers sign loan agreements. SEC MC 7 enforces these requirements and sets graduated penalties for violations.

“[D]isclosure must be furnished with sufficient clarity and lead time to allow the borrower to understand and evaluate the true cost of credit and to decide, in an informed manner, whether to proceed or refuse the transaction,” the order read.

“[B]ased on substantial evidence on record, the FLCD finds that [NCFI] failed to comply with the minimum statutory and regulatory disclosure requirements under the TILA and MC 07, and is administratively liable therefor,” it added.

The SEC ordered Nittan Capital to pay an administrative fine of P88,500, consisting of P20,000 for the initial offense and P68,500 for 685 days of continued violation.

The regulator also directed NCFI to review and update its disclosure templates, amortization schedules, and loan information sheets to ensure full compliance with TILA and MC 7.

Nittan Capital Finance did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

Trump’s immigration raids are reshaping the Catholic vote

March 17, 2026 | 12:01 am

IT’S NOT NORMAL for a priest to bring a cell phone into the sanctuary when he is celebrating Mass. But when Father Paul Haverstock heard there were masked immigration agents in the parking lot of his church in January, he said he wanted “a clear recording of me letting the agents know that we’re in the middle of a religious service.”

Haverstock is pastor at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Hopkins, Minnesota, which has a largely Spanish-speaking congregation. He never needed to do any video recording that day, but having federal agents idling outside his church has terrorized his community, he told the Catholic News Agency. A month earlier, ICE agents had arrested the church’s maintenance worker, who had lived in the US for 25 years.

Since US President Donald Trump rescinded protections that prevented ICE from targeting immigrants at houses of worship, Catholic communities like St. Gabriel’s have been under surveillance. Apprehending Latino parishioners has proven to be one way the White House is using to achieve its deportation quotas. An estimated 36% of all Latino adults in the US are Catholic, and Hispanics account for most of the church’s growth in the country.

But while numerous polls show most Americans disapprove of Trump’s policy of racially targeted mass deportation, the Catholic Church has stood out as one major institution that is pushing back. The systemic attacks on immigrants have drawn powerful opposition from parish priests all the way up to Pope Leo XIV. The fight has not only helped the newly minted US-born pope to bring a divided church together — it has helped galvanize opposition to Trump among Latino Catholics.

“Any goodwill that President Trump had gained in the last election cycle has really been frittered away because of this very aggressive policy toward immigrants in the United States,” said Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), a nonpartisan nonprofit polling organization.

Hispanic Catholics tend to prioritize immigration much more than other Americans, Deckman told me. They also place a greater emphasis on economic concerns than other voters, she said, which creates a “one-two punch that is leaving a lot of Latinos, particularly Latino Catholics, unhappy with [Trump’s] performance.”

For decades, Hispanic Catholics tended to vote staunchly Democratic, but Trump made significant inroads in 2024. He saw a 12-point gain over his 2020 vote share among Hispanic Catholics, winning 48% of their vote, according to the Pew Research Center.

Now, Trump’s support among Latino voters has cratered. By November, a majority of Latino voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy and immigration, Pew found. PRRI’s latest American Values Survey reinforced that conclusion, finding that only 28% of Hispanic Catholics viewed Trump favorably, nearly seven in 10 had little to no confidence in Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and seven in 10 opposed more ICE funding.

The findings suggest that skepticism about the administration’s immigration policy — particularly among Hispanic Catholics — has made it nearly impossible for the GOP to maintain Trump’s gains. It also helps explain why Latino voters propelled record turnout in recent elections in red states like Texas and Florida, where voter shifts helped secure victories for Democrats.

Contributing to Hispanic Catholics’ focus on immigration is the leadership role the Church has played. In October, Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical, Dilexi Te (I Have Loved You), which urged bishops worldwide to champion social justice and defend migrants. He emphasized that he’s not just talking about material poverty, but “moral and spiritual poverty” and “the poverty of those who have no rights, no space, no freedom.”

The American bishops listened and, for the first time in 12 years, issued a “Special Message” denouncing the “climate of fear” and “dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement.” They acknowledged that “nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders,” but they also called for comprehensive immigration reform, a task Congress has failed to achieve for 40 years.

“Seeking to deport millions of men and women and children — families who often lived here for decades, many children who don’t know other countries — is contrary to Catholic faith and, more fundamentally, contrary to basic human dignity,” said Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, who spoke about the issue with a dozen other Catholic clerics in St. Paul in February.

Neither Hispanics nor Catholics are a monolith, of course. Vice-President JD Vance, a convert to Catholicism, has criticized the church’s leaders “for not being a good partner in common-sense immigration reform.” The US Conference of Catholic Bishops had a “complicated 12-year relationship” with Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, according to the National Catholic Register. Francis often bypassed them when making leadership appointments, and his supporters criticized the bishops for downplaying his teachings on the environment, the poor, and immigrants while focusing more on issues like gay marriage and abortion.

According to PRRI’s survey, a racial divide within the Catholic Church today reflects these tensions. Most White Catholics consistently agree with larger majorities of the White evangelicals in supporting Trump and his policies, while Hispanic Catholics take an opposite view. The PRRI poll shows that while Hispanic Protestants are evenly divided on Trump’s performance, there is a 29-point gap between White and Hispanic Catholics over the president.

These persistent divisions within the church make the clergy’s leadership on immigration all the more profound, said Christopher Hale, who was former President Barack Obama’s national faith vote outreach coordinator and now writes the Letters From Leo newsletter about the first US pope. “Even among the conservatives, they have responded to Leo in a way that they did not under Francis,” he told me.

Hale has chronicled how conservative bishops issued dispensations, releasing Catholics who feared being detained from the obligation to attend Mass. He has detailed how, in deep-red Tennessee, all three of the state’s Catholic bishops condemned the ICE raids in their communities. And after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of New Jersey, one of the top three highest-ranking clerics in the country, called on Congress to oppose funding the Department of Homeland Security.

Just as Trump’s cruel treatment of immigrants has soured many Latino voters on his presidency, many conservative Catholic leaders have risen to the occasion and are using the power of their pulpit to condemn it too. To some, it may look like they are standing up against Trump. It’s more accurate to say they are standing up for the gospel.

BLOOMBERG OPINION

Entertainment News (03/17/26)

March 17, 2026 | 12:01 am

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Concerts at City of Dreams

GABBY CONCEPCION is kicking off this month’s concerts at City of Dreams Centerplay on March 18, while The Golden Sound of the Platters will fill the Grand Ballroom on March 27 and 28. These follow CenterPlay’s Concert Series, which features OPM stars each month, and the international tribute acts that have come to perform in the past. Gabby Concepcion Live at CenterPlay offers seats or tables starting at P4,000 per person, with consumables including bar nosh, burgers, fries, and beverages. VIP couch seats for a party of eight, and smaller seatings are also available. The Golden Sounds of The Platters will relive the elegance and romance of the 1950s and 1960s in a two-night concert staged by Steve O’Neal Productions, with tickets priced at P3,000, P5,000 and P7,000 available via TicketWorld: https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=TGSOTP26.

Korina Sanchez-Roxas hosts Face to Face with Ate Koring

PREMIERING this Women’s Month is TV5’s revitalized daily program Face to Face with Ate Koring, a show designed especially for housewives. In the show, Korina Sanchez-Roxas embraces the role of “Ate Koring,” whom viewers can turn to for advice, comfort, inspiration, and practical tips in their daily life. Airing weekdays at 11 a.m. on TV5, the show is a mix of entertaining and educational segments for household work and entrepreneurial endeavors for women.

OPM Friends return to Newport World Resorts

FOR a night of classic hits and feel-good nostalgia, Groovin’ The Greatest Hits will be staged on March 27, 8 p.m., at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. Known for their lively, dance-filled concerts, OPM Friends is an all-star lineup of veteran Filipino performers composed of Celeste Legaspi, Leah Navarro, Mitch Valdes, Nanette Inventor, Pat Castillo, Pinky Marquez, Bo Cerrudo, and Ding Mercado. The supergroup first came together in 2024 through the OPM Friends Carol for a Cause initiative to raise funds for colleagues in the music industry facing serious medical and financial challenges. They now occasionally bring together legendary voices of the era to perform enduring classics such as “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit” and “Umagang Kay Ganda.” Tickets are available at all Ticketworld outlets and Newport World Resorts Box Office, ranging in price from P1,800 to P7,800.

Montañosa Film Festival collaborates with QCinema

A COLLABORATION between two UNESCO Creative Cities will take center stage at the Montañosa Film Festival 2026 as the QCinema International Film Festival, representing Quezon City — UNESCO Creative City of Film, extends its support to the festival in Baguio City, UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. This aims to “demonstrate how cinema and culture can connect communities while amplifying diverse Filipino voices.” In line with this, QCinema will bring a special screening of six films from its QCShorts program to the Montañosa Film Festival, which is its 6^th edition this year. Its competition films will be screened from March 27 to 28. The QCShorts program will be shown on March 28, 3:30 p.m., at SM Baguio.

NIOR releases new single

ALTG RECORDS’ band NIOR has dropped their new single, “BNT,” a pop-rock song made for the heartbroken. Written by the band’s vocalist Brian Nucup, it serves as a reminder to reflect on feelings and habits in a relationship. It was produced by Caleb Hinanay and mastered by Jessie Ocampo. “BNT” by NIOR is now available worldwide on major streaming platforms.

Gap partners with Young Miko for Spring 2026 Campaign

GAP has collaborated with Grammy-nominated global artist Young Miko to spotlight GapSweats, reimagining her hit song “WASSUP” with a new music video that celebrates the intersection of music, culture, and style. It is “designed to energize fans through the unifying cultural power of Latin music.” The full-length music video, directed by Bethany Vargas and shot by Olivia Malone, features choreography by Zoi Tatopoulos. The “WASSUP” track was refreshed to include a dedicated dance-break moment led by 26 dancers, allowing GapSweats to move freely on screen.

Malcolm Todd shares new single and video

AFTER a breakout 2025 that saw his first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, hundreds of millions of streams of his self-titled album, and a sold-out international headline tour, Malcolm Todd has kicked off 2026 with a new single, “Breathe.” Co-produced by Todd, the track arrives alongside an official music video directed by longtime collaborator Aidan Cullen and featuring choreography by Lexee Smith, signaling the start of a new chapter for the Los Angeles artist and performer.

How PSEi member stocks performed — March 16, 2026

March 17, 2026 | 12:00 am

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Philippines rejects China’s claim to sovereignty over entire SCS

March 16, 2026 | 9:51 pm

Scarborough-Shoal-West-Philippine-Sea — A LANDSAT 7 image of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. — WIKIPEDIA

THE Philippines said on Monday it rejected Beijing’s assertion over the entire South China Sea (SCS), defending Manila’s “indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty” over Scarborough Shoal and Kalayaan Island Group.

“This claim has no basis in fact, no basis in history, and no basis in international law,” Maritime Affairs spokesman Rogelio E. Villanueva, Jr. told a news briefing at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“China must be reminded that maritime and territorial claims are subject to established international legal procedures and dispute settlement mechanisms, not through unilateral proclamations or social media posts.”

The remarks are the latest in a war of words between Philippine officials and the Chinese Embassy in Manila over disputes in the South China Sea. China’s embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Philippines and China both lay claims to the Scarborough Shoal, which is effectively under Beijing’s control through continuous deployment of its coast guard. Sovereignty over the atoll has never been formally established.

Mr. Villanueva was responding to a weekend social media post by the embassy that said a former Philippine ambassador had told a German radio station that Scarborough Shoal did not fall within Manila’s territory.

Located 200 kilometers (124 miles) off the Philippines and inside its exclusive economic zone, the strategic shoal is located close to major shipping lanes and is coveted for its fish stocks and a turquoise lagoon that provides safe haven for vessels during storms.

“Sovereignty is not merely claimed, it is exercised,” Mr. Villanueva said.

He added that the Philippines has exercised continuous, uninterrupted sovereignty and jurisdiction over the maritime feature, through detailed hydrographic surveys, official government correspondences, along with acts of administration.

The Foreign Affairs official also clarified that the resumption of dialogue mechanisms with China does not mean that the Philippines concedes its claims over the disputed waterway.

“Our pursuit of dialogue reflects a calibrated and principled commitment to peaceful dispute settlement — it does not, in any manner, dilute or qualify the Philippines’ firm, unequivocal positions in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

The vital waterway has become a flashpoint between Beijing and Manila, where officials have reported incidents involving Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including harassment and dangerous maneuvers such as the use of water cannons near features Manila considers part of its exclusive economic zone.

“The Philippines must file a diplomatic protest in response to the allegations presented by the Chinese Embassy as it seems to be yet another instance of narrative twisting aimed to debilitate the country’s claims,” Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a diplomacy lecturer at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

He also called on the Philippine government to operationalize the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism for further dialogues between Manila and Beijing.

Mr. Cortez said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ ongoing meeting to craft a binding code of conduct in the South China Sea could be used as a platform to address the Philippines’ sentiments.

“If left unaddressed (this) might become more harmful towards our claim and that of our neighbors who are also state claimants to the maritime territory,” he added. — Adrian H. Halili with Reuters

Marcos’ approval and trust ratings rise; Duterte still most trusted despite drop in Q1

March 16, 2026 | 9:51 pm

Sara Duterte-Marcos — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. continued to face widespread disapproval and distrust even as his ratings improved in the first quarter, Pulse Asia reported, while Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio maintained majority support despite a decline.

A nationwide survey by Pulse Asia Research, Inc., conducted from Feb. 27 to March 2, found that 45% of Filipino adults disapprove of Mr. Marcos’ performance while 44% distrust him. This is despite improvements in his approval and trust ratings, which climbed by 11 percentage points to 36% and 10 percentage points to 35%, respectively.

In contrast, Ms. Duterte posted a 55% approval rating against 27% (up 11 points) disapproval, maintaining a narrow majority of public support despite rising criticism over the past year.

The Vice-President also maintained a high public trust of 54%, compared with 26% (up 10 points) of Filipino adults saying they have little to no trust in her.

The results offer an early snapshot of the political balance ahead of the 2028 presidential race, showing how public sentiment is diverging between the country’s top two officials as their alliance continues to fray.

Ms. Duterte’s continued majority approval gives her a potential advantage as she prepares for her presidential bid, while Mr. Marcos’ plurality disapproval underscores the policy and economic pressures facing his administration, particularly on inflation and corruption, that could shape both his remaining years in office and his influence over the next national election.

“I am always grateful to our fellow Filipinos for their continued support and trust in my colleagues at the Office of the Vice-President… For me, whether there is a survey or not, I remain thankful because the trust and belief of the people in me are still there,” Ms. Duterte told reporters in Filipino on Monday, according to a transcript from her office.

The survey suggested the President is facing lingering skepticism nationwide, as distrust stood at 44%, exceeding the 35% who said they trust him. Ms. Duterte’s distrust rating was 26%, compared to 54% who trust her.

A majority of people living in Luzon approved of Mr. Marcos, posting a 54% approval rating in the region, while disapproval dominated in the Visayas (61%) and Mindanao (73%). The Vice-President also retained strong approval ratings in her bailiwicks of Visayas and Mindanao, where she garnered 72% and 95%, respectively.

“Overall public assessment of the performance and trustworthiness of the President and the Vice-President is essentially constant between December 2025 and March 2026 but notable changes occur year on year,” a statement from Pulse Asia read.

Public opinion on the administration and the Vice-President may be shaped as much by political roles and media influence as by policy performance, according to political science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University Hansley A. Juliano.

“A bulk of these satisfaction results are very much tied to the nature of their job and their visibility,” he said via Facebook Messenger, noting that presidents in the Philippines rarely maintain strong popularity in the second half of their term.

He added that the continued reach of networks linked to former President Rodrigo R. Duterte has helped sustain support for the family’s political brand.

“For good and bad, the Dutertes continue to control disinformation networks, and unfortunately they are not being prosecuted or dismantled by the Marcos administration,” he said. “Hence, not only are they able to continue spreading their content, they also continue to hold their audiences captive.”

The Vice-President’s standing may also stem from her position outside the cabinet of Mr. Marcos effectively allowing her to act as a “lightning rod” for a loyal opposition.

“By virtue of being ousted from a cabinet post and not being given a chance to, essentially, ‘make mistakes,’ the VP now has the means to perform the role of ‘lightning rod’ for ‘loyal opposition’ to the government,” Mr. Juliano added.

POLICY PRESSURES
The survey also underscored the economic and governance pressures facing the administration as Filipinos aired their most urgent national concerns.

Almost six in 10 Filipinos (59%) said the national government must take urgent steps to control the rising costs of goods as the inflation accelerated to 2.4% in February 2026 from 2% a month prior.

Inflation is followed by graft and corruption in government (47%) amid a widening flood control scandal and workers’ pay (36%) as labor groups push for a legislated wage increase to keep up with rising costs.

Filipinos showed low concern for some national issues, including responding to calamity-hit areas (8%), reducing taxes (7%), supporting small entrepreneurs (5%), protecting overseas Filipino workers (3%), safeguarding national territorial integrity (2%) and countering terrorism (1%).

Across regions and socioeconomic classes, only inflation (53% in the Visayas; 62% in Luzon and Mindanao; 57-63% across classes) and government graft and corruption (58% in Luzon outside Metro Manila; 64% in Class ABC) register as majority priorities.

Conversely, the least cited concerns remain the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (1-4% by region; 1-3% by class), national territorial integrity (near zero to 4% by region; virtually none to 2% by class), and terrorism (1-3% by region; almost zero to 2% by class).

The survey fieldwork was conducted from Feb. 27 to March 2, 2026, using face-to-face interviews, sampling 1,200 representative adults aged 18 and above with a ±2.8% error margin at the 95% confidence level; subnational estimates for Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao carry a ±5.7% margin of error.

VP Duterte asks House panel to dismiss ouster raps over weak evidence

March 16, 2026 | 9:50 pm

VICE-PRESIDENT (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday asked a House of Representatives committee to dismiss the impeachment charges against her, saying the allegations lacked evidence and were based on speculation.

The two complaints that the House Justice Committee passed in its preliminary review “recycle the same accusations” against Ms. Duterte from last year’s impeachment and lacked any statement of “ultimate facts” that she could respond to, according to a copy of her 13-page response shared with reporters.

“Since no wrongdoing has been established with proof by the complainants, they simply cannot rush to the conclusion that the Vice-President is ultimately responsible for them,” she said.

In early March, the committee found two of four complaints against Ms. Duterte sufficient in substance, moving them to the next stage of the impeachment process that will determine whether the charges have merit and should be discussed further by the 39-member panel.

The Vice-President faces a range of accusations, including claims she misused hundreds of millions of pesos in secret funds under the Office of the Vice-President and the Education department during her time as its secretary.

The complaints also include accusations she amassed wealth disproportionate to her income, efforts to destabilize the government and plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., his wife and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, charges which she has denied.

“Aside from self-serving assertions and sweeping legal conclusions, the impeachment complaints contain nothing anchored in any concrete, established facts supported by law,” Ms. Duterte said.

She also said lawmakers applied “double standards” in handling the complaints against her, arguing they were biased compared with the dismissal of similar ouster complaints earlier filed against Mr. Marcos.

“The committee failed to observe the basic tenets of fair play and due process, where double standards were employed in dealing with the impeachment complaints against President Marcos, Jr. and the Vice-President, resulting in arbitrary government action,” she said.

Mr. Marcos in February survived an impeachment bid which accused him of corruption, violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust after the Justice committee dismissed the allegations as lacking merit.

The dismissed complaints alleged that Mr. Marcos had benefited from questionable government contracts linked to defective infrastructure projects, receiving kickbacks and institutionalized corruption through a budget allocation formula for congressional districts.

“It appears… that the serious accusations against the President and other high-ranking public officials were summarily disregarded,” Ms. Duterte said. “This unequal treatment reflects an uneven application of standards and scrutiny in the determination of sufficiency in form and substance of the complaints against the Vice-President.”

Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon, a member of the Justice committee, said Ms. Duterte did not directly respond to the charges against her.

“Instead of responding directly to the charges, it attempts to challenge the impeachment proceedings itself based on a confused interpretation of due process and the concept of ultimate facts in impeachment cases,” he said in a statement.

“The submission does not specifically and completely rebut the material allegations raised in the complaints,” he added.

The renewed impeachment effort against Ms. Duterte comes as she declared her intention to run for President in 2028, a move that could put her political standing to the test. She is the daughter of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, whose strong support base remains influential.

Impeachment proceedings against the Vice-President were revived after the Supreme Court blocked attempts in 2025 for violating procedural rules. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

House passes bill abolishing travel tax on final reading

March 16, 2026 | 9:50 pm

NAIA-airport-passenger — Travelers line up to check in at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, Pasay City in this file photo. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

The House of Representatives on Monday evening approved on final reading a bill scrapping travel tax, which lawmakers consider as a nuisance for Filipinos traveling abroad.

With 257 votes in favor, one against, and one abstention, the chamber passed the proposal to scrap the decades-old duty originally designed to curb overseas travel when the Philippines sought to conserve its foreign currency reserves and promote local tourism.

“The travel tax belongs to a different era, when flying was mostly seen as a privilege for an opulent few,” Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos III said in a statement. “Many Filipinos travel because they have to, for business, for family, for school, or to seize livelihood opportunities, and government should not keep treating that necessity as if it were still a luxury.”

Filipino travelers pay a P1,620 tax when flying economy and P2,700 tax in first class under a 1970s law that lawmakers say has outlived its purpose and now hampers overseas travel.

It was first imposed by Republic Act No. 1478 in 1956 and later amended through Presidential Decree No. 1183 in 1977. Exempt from travel tax are overseas Filipino workers, Filipino permanent residents overseas who stayed less than a year in the Philippines, and children aged two years and below.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has made scrapping the travel tax a priority measure of his administration.

Lawmakers should have reviewed the travel tax system rather than scrapping it outright, Michelle Guerrero Taylan, president of the Global Tourism Business Association, said.

She said the levy helps fund agencies working to shore up the tourism sector and removing it could jeopardize infrastructure projects aimed at improving the domestic travel experience.

“We also have to know that with this travel tax that we are paying, our local tourism is also benefiting,” she said in a phone call.

Under the current law, 50% of the proceeds from travel tax collections go to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, while 40% go to the Commission on Higher Education for its education programs. 

The remaining 10% share goes to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Agencies tasked with collecting the travel tax must immediately refund payments upon enactment, according to the measure, adding that government offices relying on the levy as a steady revenue source will be provided with alternative funding.

“We recommend a rate reduction, transparency reforms, expanded exemptions and implementing a tax structure based on destination or travel class,” Ms. Taylan said. 

IBON Foundation Executive Director Jose Enrique “Sonny” A. Africa said moves to scrap the travel tax “seem to be just a populist move” aimed at projecting that the Philippines is aligned with international standards.

“I don’t think the impact will be that great in terms of encouraging more to go abroad,” he said in a Viber message. 

“International tourism demand is much more sensitive to family incomes, exchange rates, and perceived convenience and safety of travel than the travel tax per se, which is a small part of overall travel expenses,” he added.

Also on Monday, lawmakers also approved on final reading House Bill No. 8468, which seeks to promote digital payment systems for government transactions while seeking to boost the adoption of private merchants.

In a 257-3-0 vote, the measure seeks to promote the use of “safe, efficient and inclusive digital payments” in transactions with government agencies, as it also urged local government units to grant incentives to shops to boost its adoption.

“The lines are long and the waiting time is lengthy, especially in government offices,” Mr. Marcos said in a statement. “The eBayad Act brings government transactions closer to the daily rhythm of people’s lives by making payments faster, easier, and more practical.”

The bill requires all government agencies to adopt digital payments for disbursements and collections, either through in‑house systems or by engaging payment service providers, giving them three years to fully implement the measure.

For merchants, the bill orders local government units to encourage and incentivize merchants via reduced fees, as well as assist small and micro-merchants in becoming more capable of adopting digital payment systems.

The push for the measure comes as the Philippines risks falling short of its 2028 digitalization target under the Philippine Development Plan, with BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. noting the transition is progressing more slowly than expected.

DoH pushes for total ban on e-cigarettes, vape products

March 16, 2026 | 9:48 pm

vape-smoke — PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

THE Department of Health (DoH) on Monday pushed for the total ban on electronic cigarettes and other vape products as regulation falls short.

“According to the current policies, the restriction on the use of vape is 18 years old, but we can see that young people are still able to buy it. There are also products that are not registered,” DoH Health Promotion Bureau Director Maria Kristina May L. Marasigan told a Senate hearing, in Filipino.

A total ban on vape products is also expected to simplify enforcement, she added, noting that they will no longer need to separate legal nicotine products from illegal ones.

While waiting for a total ban, the DoH recommended imposing a unified tax to discourage youth from purchasing e-cigarettes.

The Health department backed proposals to impose a unified tax rate with nonnegotiable 5% annual indexation as well as an increase in the age restriction to 25 years old from 18, according to a manifestation, read by Ms. Marasigan.

Out of 11 ASEAN countries, eight nations, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Myanmar, have implemented a total vape ban.

Should a total ban be impractical, the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) has called for the return of vape and heated tobacco products (HTPs) regulation to the DoH and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Transfer back the regulation of vape and HTPs to the DoH and FDA because this is a health issue and these products should be treated as health hazards, not as regular consumer products,” Aurora O. Quilala, executive director of PLCPD, said in a mix of English and Filipino during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography.

At present, the Department of Trade and Industry is the lead agency regulating said products. It has so far confiscated P519 million worth of HTPs since August 2024, Trade Assistant Secretary Marcus N. Valdez II said.
The PLCPD also pushed for the increase of age restriction to 21 years old. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel

8 out of 10 Filipinos trust Japan

March 16, 2026 | 9:46 pm

Tokyo people traveling on the street — STOCK PHOTO | Image from Freepik

NEARLY eight in 10 Filipinos trust Japan, perceiving the Philippines and Japan relations as stable and strong, a December 2025 survey by OCTA Research has shown.

In a poll on the public sentiment on Filipino-Japanese relations, 75% of Filipinos have been shown trusting Japanese people while 70% say the relations between the two countries are “very good.”

Only 4% had expressed distrust in Japan, while 6% said they distrust the people of Japan.

According to OCTA, these results also demonstrate that the Filipinos’ perception of Japan extends to the social and interpersonal level, beyond government-to-government relations.

“These results suggest that Japan enjoys one of the highest levels of international trust among Filipinos in recent surveys conducted by OCTA Research, reflecting a broadly favorable perception of Japan as a dependable and constructive partner of the Philippines,” OCTA said.

Among the factors contributing to Filipinos’ trust in Japan, as cited in the study, are Japan’s reliability as an economic partner and their contribution to the development of the Philippines’ infrastructure, technology, and trade.

“This alignment between policy cooperation and public sentiment strengthens the strategic foundation of Philippines-Japan relations and supports the long-term sustainability of bilateral engagement,” OCTA said. The Philippines and Japan are set to mark 70 years of friendship.

OCTA also attributed the trust in Japanese people to the growing community of Filipinos in Japan alongside cultural exchanges, tourism, and educational partnerships.

OCTA surveyed a total of 1,200 respondents, aged 18 and above, from Dec. 3 to Dec. 11, 2025 nationwide. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel