TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)
26 March 2026, Thursday, 5:00 p.m.
1. Marcos signs law granting emergency powers to suspend fuel excise tax
-DOF: Marcos may order fuel excise tax cut, suspension by April 12 or 13
-Bam to DOF: Agencies should hasten response to oil crisis
-Senators raise alarm over oil supply uncertainty
[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila
Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Panay News,
Philstar, Rappler, Sunstar, The Freeman]
2. TRANSPORT STRIKES, CASH AID PAYOUTS:
-Transport, commuter groups launch nationwide strike to demand oil tax
repeal
-Libreng sakay rolled out in Metro Manila; MMDA says no big traffic
disruption, stranded passengers amid strike
-No major peace and order disruption in 1st day of transport strike, PNP
says
-SC suspends afternoon work in NCR over transport strike
-Delivery riders in Metro Manila receive cash aid from DSWD
-Jeepney driver now in good condition after seizure during cash payout —
QC LGU
-Community pantries return as oil crisis squeezes drivers, commuters
[ABS-CBN News, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila
Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar]
3. ERC suspends power spot market,
modifies pricing mechanism
[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA
News, Manila Times, Manila Standard, Mindanao Times, Panay News, Philstar,
Rappler, The Freeman]
4. Russian oil arrives as Philippines
battles ‘energy emergency’
[Daily Tribune, GMA News, Manila Times, Mindanao Times, Inquirer, Panay
News, Philstar, Sunstar, The Freeman]
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/315602/russian-oil-arrives-as-philippines-battles-energy-emergency
5. China open to reviving South China
Sea oil talks, but tells Philippines to 'show sincerity'
[Daily Tribune, GMA News, Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, Manila
Standard, Mindanao Times, News5PH,
Manila Bulletin, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]
6. Leviste to Marcos: Cut Asean
budget, funnel savings to fuel price relief
[Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin]
7. Marcos Jr. signs law resetting
BARMM elections to September 2026
[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard,
Manila Times, News5PH, Panay News, Philstar, Rappler]
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/marcos-signs-law-barmm-elections-september-2026
8. Ombudsman says 'ready' to provide
VP Sara Duterte's SALNs to Congress
[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin,
Mindanao Times, News5PH, Panay News, Sunstar, Watchmen Daily Journal]
9. BSP holds key rate at 4.25% in
off-cycle meet amid Mideast risks
[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin,
Manila Standard, Panay News, Watchmen Daily Journal] https://business.inquirer.net/581683/bsp-holds-key-rate-at-4-25-in-off-cycle-meet-amid-mideast-risks
10. HPG names Rommel Batangan as new
acting director
[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin,
News5PH, Sunstar] https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/981451/hpg-names-rommel-batangan-as-new-acting-director/story/
© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit