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LOVE FOR ALL​By: Virginia Rodriguez The ongoing reforms at the Bureau of Customs under Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno signal a serious attempt to shed the agency’s long-standing reputation as one of the country’s most corruption-prone institutions. For decades, the BOC has been associated with smuggling, revenue leakages, and weak enforcement. Today, however, early indicators suggest that a shift may be underway. …

REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro The reopening of oil and gas exploration talks between the Philippines and China has stirred both skepticism and cautious optimism. Herman Tiu Laurel, president of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ACPSSI), told The Manila Times that the move comes “very late in the day,” driven by fears of a looming energy crisis linked to escalating …

Government’s plan to negotiate “safe passage” for Philippine-bound oil tankers is less a strategy than a hopeful gesture detached from geopolitical reality. The Philippines is a longstanding ally of the United States, while the choke-point in question—the Strait of Hormuz—is influenced by the posture of Iran. Even arranging a formal dialogue at the diplomatic level would be fraught, slow and …

Amid global uncertainty, a positive development has emerged for the Philippines as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the successful drilling and testing of the Camago-3 gas well—an indigenous energy source expected to help cushion Filipinos from volatile global fuel prices. “My fellow Filipinos, today I am proud to announce another step forward in our mission to secure affordable, reliable energy …

The Social Security System (SSS) has assured its members in the Middle East that access to benefits and services remains uninterrupted through its digital platforms despite ongoing regional tensions. SSS President Robert Joseph de Claro underscored the reliability of the My.SSS Portal, which enables overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to file benefit claims and apply for loans online, as long as …

The Department of Energy (DOE) reported the arrival of about 22.58 million liters of diesel in the country, bolstering local supply as global tensions in the Middle East continue to affect fuel markets. In a social media post, the agency said the shipment—equivalent to roughly 142,000 barrels—was secured under its Emergency Energy Security Program, which carries a ₱20-billion allocation. The …

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said China continues to disregard the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims over the South China Sea, while also engaging in a sustained disinformation campaign to undermine the decision. Speaking at the Paris Defense and Strategy Forum in France, Teodoro stressed that Beijing has not only ignored the ruling of the Permanent …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has welcomed the decision to impose a ₱50-per-kilo price ceiling on imported rice, describing it as a timely move to shield consumers from the ripple effects of rising fuel costs. The cap, covering 5% broken imported rice, was approved by the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) and is set for implementation once an executive order …

Lawmakers are pushing for stronger safeguards for farmers as onion prices at the farm gate continue to drop despite rising production costs, raising concerns over market distortions and supply chain issues. At a Senate hearing in Muñoz City, Nueva Ecija—considered the country’s onion capital—Senator Francis Pangilinan said the ongoing energy crisis is worsening conditions in agriculture, driving up expenses from …

Oil industry players have expressed support for suspending value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products, saying the move could translate into quicker and more visible price cuts for consumers. At a Senate PROTECT hearing, representatives of both major and independent oil firms said removing VAT at the point of importation would immediately bring down costs and allow savings to be passed …