Philippines declares national energy emergency Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a state of national energy emergency on Tuesday, citing the Middle East conflict and an "imminent danger" to the country's energy supply. The declaration, which will remain in effect for one year, grants the government authority to procure fuel and petroleum products to ensure timely and sufficient supply. It also allows the government to pay part of the contract amount in advance if necessary. Marcos stated that the conflict has created uncertainty in global energy markets, disrupted supply chains, and driven up international oil prices, threatening the nation's energy security. An executive order outlined the measures, emphasizing the need for coordinated actions to address risks from global energy supply disruptions and domestic economic impacts. A committee has been formed to oversee the orderly movement, supply, distribution, and availability of fuel, food, medicines, agricultural products, and other essential goods. Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon Garin noted that the country currently has about 45 days of fuel supply based on current consumption levels. She revealed efforts to secure 1 million barrels of oil from Southeast Asian and other international sources to build a buffer stock, though uncertainties may affect future procurement. The declaration aims to enable faster government responses to the fallout from the Middle East crisis, which has exacerbated oil price volatility and disrupted global markets. Marcos also directed the finance ministry and central bank to monitor the impact of the conflict on the Philippine peso, remittances, and risks of currency depreciation.#philippines #ferdinand_marcos_jr #middle_east_conflict #philippine_energy_secretary #sharon_garin
Philippines Declares National Energy Emergency Amid Iran Conflict The Philippines has declared a state of national energy emergency, citing the "imminent danger" to the country's fuel supplies caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed an executive order to safeguard energy security amid severe disruptions to global supply chains. The US-Israel conflict with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route, have sent shockwaves through global energy markets, leading to soaring prices and shortages. The Philippines, which relies heavily on fuel imports, is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in production and shipments. In his executive order, Marcos emphasized that the declaration was made "in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the resulting imminent danger posed upon the availability and stability of the country's energy supply." The order allows the government to implement coordinated measures to address economic disruptions. A committee has been formed to ensure the orderly movement, supply, distribution, and availability of fuel, food, medicines, and other essential goods. The emergency declaration will remain in effect for one year unless extended or lifted by the president. The move follows calls from several senators urging Marcos to recognize the "emergency-level" hardship faced by Philippine families due to rising oil prices. Recent fuel price surges have pushed the cost of petrol and diesel to more than double their pre-war levels in February. The Philippines imports approximately 98% of its crude oil from the Gulf, and the conflict has had widespread effects, impacting transportation, food prices, and daily life.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #philippines #ferdinand_marcos_jr #us_israel_conflict
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency on March 24, 2026, citing risks to the country’s energy supply linked to the escalating conflict in West Asia. The declaration followed concerns over global energy market instability, supply chain disruptions, and rising oil prices, which Marcos described as an “imminent danger” to the nation’s energy security. In an executive order, Marcos announced the formation of a committee tasked with ensuring the orderly movement, supply, distribution, and availability of critical goods such as fuel, food, medicines, agricultural products, and other essentials. The committee’s role is to coordinate measures to mitigate the impact of global energy supply disruptions and protect the domestic economy. The president emphasized that the emergency declaration would empower the government to take responsive actions under existing laws, including procuring necessary fuel and petroleum products to guarantee a timely and sufficient supply. In cases of urgency, the government could also advance payments for contracts to secure energy resources. Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon Garin provided additional details during a news briefing, stating the country had approximately 45 days of fuel reserves based on current consumption levels. She noted efforts to acquire 1 million barrels of oil from both within and outside Southeast Asia to bolster the nation’s buffer stock. The declaration remains in effect for one year, allowing the government to implement strategies to address vulnerabilities in the global energy supply chain. Marcos highlighted the need for coordinated measures to counter the volatility in international oil prices and the broader economic risks posed by the conflict.#philippines #ferdinand_marcos_jr #philippine_president #philippine_energy_secretary #sharon_garin
Philippine lawmaker draws flak for 'sexist' remark A Filipino lawmaker has faced backlash for making a "sexist" remark about actress Anne Curtis during a congressional hearing on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. Jesus Manuel Suntay, a member of the House of Representatives and an ally of Duterte, drew criticism for his comment, which occurred during a session of the Congressional Justice Committee on March 3. The hearing addressed two impeachment complaints against Duterte, who is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte and currently faces charges of misusing $10.5 million in funds and plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and a relative. Suntay dismissed the alleged assassination plot, claiming Duterte’s earlier statement about "cutting" Marcos’ head was merely a product of imagination and not a punishable act. He then shifted the focus to Curtis, a high-profile actress with 19 million Facebook followers, by referencing his own "imagination" about her. In Filipino, he said, "I felt a desire inside me that really heated up. I just imagined what could happen. But of course that remained just an imagination. I probably can’t be sued just because of the things I imagined." The remark sparked outrage among fellow lawmakers, including several women legislators, who condemned the comment as sexist and degrading. Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora proposed removing Suntay’s statement from the congressional record, a move the committee approved. The incident quickly went viral in the predominantly Catholic nation, where such remarks by politicians are not uncommon. The controversy reignited discussions about the objectification of women in public life. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.#anne_curtis #jesus_manuel_suntay #sara_duterte #rodrido_duterte #ferdinand_marcos_jr
