Wednesday, April 29, 2026


Your Daily News Update About CALABARZON and Beyond.
ISSN 2799-1911

Home Blog Page 19

Posibleng P6–P10 bawas sa presyo ng gasolina at diesel asahan matapos ang fuel excise tax suspension

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
Posibleng P6–P10 bawas sa presyo ng gasolina at diesel asahan matapos ang fuel excise tax suspension

MAYNILA — Maaaring makaranas ng pansamantalang ginhawa ang mga motorista at mamimili sa susunod na mga linggo kung maisusulong ang panukalang pagsuspinde sa excise tax ng mga produktong petrolyo, na inaasahang magpapababa ng presyo ng gasolina at diesel ng humigit-kumulang P6 hanggang P10 kada litro.

Ayon kay House Committee on Public Accounts Chair Terry Ridon, halos tapos na sa Kamara ang panukalang batas na magbibigay ng kapangyarihan kay Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. na pansamantalang bawasan o suspendihin ang excise tax sa langis kapag biglang tumaas ang presyo nito sa pandaigdigang merkado.

Umaasa ang mga mambabatas na maipapasa ang panukala sa Senado sa lalong madaling panahon upang agad itong maipatupad sakaling magpatuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo.

Ipinaliwanag ni Ridon na layunin ng panukala na magkaroon ng mas mabilis na tugon ang pamahalaan sa biglaang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis. Sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang sistema, kailangan munang hintayin ang tatlong buwang average ng pandaigdigang presyo ng krudo bago makialam ang gobyerno.

Sa bagong panukala, maaaring agad na magpatupad ng suspensyon sa excise tax kapag nagdeklara ang Pangulo ng state of national emergency kaugnay ng mataas na presyo ng petrolyo.

Ayon pa sa mambabatas, kung hindi kikilos ang pamahalaan, posibleng umabot sa P90 hanggang P100 kada litro ang presyo ng gasolina sa mga susunod na linggo, lalo na kung magpapatuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo sa pandaigdigang merkado dulot ng lumalalang tensyon sa Middle East, isa sa pinakamalaking rehiyon ng produksyon ng langis sa mundo.

Kung maisasakatuparan ang pansamantalang suspensyon ng buwis at bumaba ang presyo sa tinatayang P80 hanggang P90 kada litro, malaking ginhawa umano ito hindi lamang sa sektor ng transportasyon kundi pati sa iba pang industriya na umaasa sa fuel para sa operasyon.

Binigyang-diin din ni Ridon na ang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis ay may direktang epekto sa presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin at serbisyo, kaya mahalaga ang agarang hakbang ng pamahalaan upang mabawasan ang dagdag na pasanin sa gastusin ng mga Pilipino.

Samantala, patuloy na minomonitor ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaan ang galaw ng pandaigdigang presyo ng langis habang pinag-aaralan ang iba pang posibleng hakbang upang mapagaan ang epekto nito sa ekonomiya at sa pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay ng publiko.

343 Pinoy mula Middle East nakauwi sa Pilipinas

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
343 Pinoy mula Middle East nakauwi sa Pilipinas

MAYNILA — Umabot na sa 343 Pilipino mula sa Middle East ang umuwi sa Pilipinas nitong Linggo bilang bahagi ng patuloy na repatriation program ng pamahalaan para sa mga overseas Filipino na naapektuhan ng lumalalang sigalot sa rehiyon.

Ayon sa Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), dumating ang mga repatriate sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 bandang alas siyete ng umaga sakay ng chartered flight na inorganisa ng ahensya.

Sinabi ni OWWA Administrator PY Caunan sa isang press briefing na ang mga Pilipinong umuwi ay nagmula sa Bahrain, Al Khobar, at Riyadh sa Saudi Arabia. Marami sa kanila ay kinategoryang “distressed Filipinos,” o mga manggagawang nangangailangan ng agarang tulong at repatriation dahil sa sitwasyon sa rehiyon.

Habang hinihintay ang kanilang pag-uwi, nakatanggap na umano ang ilan sa kanila ng tulong mula sa pamahalaan ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng mga opisina ng OWWA at ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) sa kanilang host countries.

Samantala, muling tiniyak ni DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac na may nakahandang reintegration assistance ang pamahalaan para sa mga nagbabalik na overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Kabilang dito ang job fairs, livelihood assistance, at mga reskilling program sa tulong ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) upang matulungan silang makahanap ng bagong kabuhayan sa bansa.

Bukod dito, makatatanggap din ang mga repatriate ng serbisyong medikal mula sa Department of Health (DOH) bilang bahagi ng kanilang reintegration at welfare support.

Ayon pa kay Caunan, may mga Pilipino rin mula sa Kuwait na nakatawid na patungong Riyadh at inaasahang iuuwi sa Pilipinas sa mga susunod na araw bilang bahagi ng susunod na batch ng repatriation flights.

Mas maaga ring dumating nitong Linggo sa NAIA Terminal 3 ang 26 OFWs at siyam na miyembro ng kanilang pamilya mula sa Qatar.

Noong Sabado naman, iniulat ng DMW na may 442 Pilipino — kabilang ang 200 OFWs — ang dumating sa NAIA Terminal 3 sakay ng hiwalay na chartered flight.

Sa kabuuan, umabot na sa 1,022 OFWs at 293 dependents ang naiuwing Pilipino mula Marso 5 hanggang Marso 14 sa ilalim ng repatriation efforts ng pamahalaan.

Pinalakas ng gobyerno ang repatriation program matapos lumala ang tensyon sa Middle East kasunod ng koordinadong pag-atake ng Estados Unidos at Israel laban sa Iran noong Pebrero 28, na nagpalala sa seguridad sa ilang bansa sa rehiyon.

Patuloy namang minomonitor ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas ang sitwasyon at nananatiling nakahanda ang mga embahada at konsulado ng bansa upang tulungan ang mga Pilipinong nais umuwi habang nagpapatuloy ang kaguluhan sa Middle East.

Iran claims US launched attacks from UAE as war enters third week

EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
Iran claims US launched attacks from UAE as war enters third week

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran on Saturday accused the United States of launching attacks on its territory from the United Arab Emirates, raising tensions across the Gulf as the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel entered its third week.

Tehran warned civilians to evacuate areas near major ports in the UAE, including Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, the busiest seaport in the Middle East, and Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi. Iranian officials claimed U.S. forces had used “ports, docks and hideouts” in the UAE to stage strikes against Kharg Island, home to Iran’s main oil export terminal.

Iran did not present evidence for the claim but urged residents to avoid areas where it said U.S. military forces might be stationed.

Hours after the warning, there were no immediate reports of attacks on Jebel Ali or Khalifa ports. However, debris from an intercepted Iranian drone struck an oil facility in the port city of Fujairah, igniting a fire.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with MS NOW that U.S. strikes on Kharg Island and Abu Musa Island were launched from two locations in the UAE, including Ras Al-Khaimah and another site “very close to Dubai.”

Araghchi described the alleged use of UAE territory as “dangerous,” but said Iran would try to avoid targeting populated areas.

The U.S. Central Command declined to comment on Tehran’s accusations.

A diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, Anwar Gargash, responded on social media, saying the country has the right to defend itself but continues to prioritize “reason and logic” and is exercising restraint.

Since the war began, Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones toward Gulf countries, saying it was targeting U.S. assets in the region. However, some attacks or attempted strikes have reportedly affected civilian infrastructure, including airports and oil facilities.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said American forces had “obliterated” military installations on Kharg Island. He warned that Iran’s oil infrastructure could become the next target if Tehran continues interfering with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker has warned that attacks on the country’s oil infrastructure would trigger a stronger retaliatory response.

Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed only to “those who are attacking us and their allies.”

The growing conflict has fueled global concern about energy markets and maritime security in the Gulf.

Trump called on major powers including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom to send naval forces to help keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe.”

Britain said it was discussing with allies a “range of options” to secure international shipping routes in the region.

In a separate social media post, Araghchi urged neighboring countries to “expel foreign aggressors” and criticized Trump’s appeal for multinational naval support.

Iran’s joint military command warned Saturday that it could target U.S.-linked “oil, economic and energy infrastructures” across the region if Iranian oil facilities are attacked.

Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that the U.S. strikes on Kharg Island caused no damage to oil infrastructure, saying the attacks targeted an air defense site, a naval base, the airport control tower and a helicopter hangar belonging to an offshore oil company.

The U.S. military, however, said its forces destroyed naval mine storage sites, missile bunkers and other military installations.

Israel also announced new airstrikes in Iran, claiming its air force struck more than 200 targets within 24 hours, including missile launchers, air defense systems and weapons production facilities.

Meanwhile, a missile struck a helipad inside the compound of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Saturday. No group immediately claimed responsibility. The massive embassy complex has repeatedly been targeted by rockets and drones from Iran-aligned militias in Iraq.

The U.S. State Department again urged American citizens in Iraq to leave the country immediately, preferably by land, noting that Iran and its allied militia groups “may continue to target” U.S. citizens and interests.

The regional conflict has also worsened Lebanon’s humanitarian crisis. Israeli strikes targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have left more than 800 people dead and displaced around 850,000 residents, according to reports.

A U.S. official said Friday that 2,500 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli were being deployed to the Middle East, further expanding the largest American military buildup in the region in decades.

Marine Expeditionary Units are capable of amphibious operations but are also frequently deployed to reinforce embassy security, evacuate civilians and assist in disaster response.

The USS Tripoli was recently spotted by commercial satellites near Taiwan, placing it more than a week away from waters near Iran.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Navy already had 12 vessels in the Arabian Sea, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and eight destroyers.

The U.S. Department of Defense on Saturday identified six service members who died when their military refueling aircraft crashed Thursday while supporting operations linked to the conflict with Iran.

The victims were Maj. John A. Klinner, 33; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28.

According to U.S. Central Command, the crash occurred in western Iraq following an unspecified incident involving two aircraft operating in “friendly airspace.” The second aircraft landed safely.

U.S. offers up to $10 million for information on top Iranian officials

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
U.S. offers up to $10 million for information on top Iranian officials

The United States has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on Iran’s newly installed supreme leader and several senior figures linked to the country’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in what Washington describes as part of its efforts to counter Iranian security operations.

The reward was issued through the U.S. Department of State under its Rewards for Justice Program, which seeks public information that could help identify, locate, or disrupt the activities of individuals accused of involvement in terrorism or security threats.

At the center of the announcement is Mojtaba Khamenei, who recently emerged as Iran’s new supreme leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, during joint U.S.-Israeli strikes earlier in the conflict that erupted in late February. Reports indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei may have been injured during the attacks and has not appeared publicly since, aside from issuing a written statement.

The U.S. government said the reward also applies to several senior Iranian officials and security figures believed to be connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Washington designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization in 2019, citing its involvement in regional militant activities and support for allied armed groups.

Among those listed in the reward announcement are Ali Asghar Hejazi, a longtime deputy chief of staff to Iran’s supreme leader, and Ali Larijani. Other individuals reportedly included on the list are Iran’s intelligence and interior ministers, as well as several IRGC commanders.

A banner released by the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service circulated images and names of the targeted figures, urging potential informants to provide information through secure communication channels. Individuals who supply credible intelligence may also be eligible for relocation assistance or other forms of protection.

Officials said the reward offer forms part of broader U.S. efforts to gather intelligence on Iran’s leadership and security apparatus amid escalating tensions in the region. The initiative also mirrors past reward campaigns targeting high-profile militant leaders and cyber actors linked to Iranian operations.

Iran has rejected U.S. accusations that its security officials are involved in terrorism, accusing Washington of using such measures to justify sanctions and political pressure against the country.

The announcement comes at a time of heightened confrontation between the United States and Iran, with ongoing military operations, regional missile exchanges, and growing geopolitical tensions across the Middle East.

U.S. strikes military sites on Iran’s Kharg Island as Middle East war escalates

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
U.S. strikes military sites on Iran’s Kharg Island as Middle East war escalates

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United States has carried out airstrikes on military targets on Iran’s strategic Kharg Island, intensifying hostilities in the region as the war involving Iran continues to spread across the Middle East.

Donald Trump said U.S. forces struck military installations on the island on Friday, describing the operation as having “obliterated” its targets. Kharg Island is home to Iran’s primary oil export terminal and plays a crucial role in the country’s energy industry.

In a social media post, Trump said the strikes deliberately avoided Iran’s oil facilities for now but warned that the country’s petroleum infrastructure could become a target if Iran disrupts shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil.

The escalation came as Iran has effectively closed the strait amid ongoing missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and neighboring Gulf states.

Meanwhile, an American defense official said about 2,500 additional Marines and an amphibious assault ship are being deployed to the region as fighting approaches its second week. Elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli have been ordered to the Middle East.

Marine Expeditionary Units are designed for rapid-response missions, including embassy security, civilian evacuations, and humanitarian assistance. The official stressed that the deployment does not necessarily signal an imminent ground invasion.

Satellite imagery shows the USS Tripoli sailing alone near Taiwan earlier this week, indicating it could take more than a week to reach waters near Iran.

Earlier in the week, the U.S. Navy already had a major presence in the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and eight destroyers operating in the Arabian Sea.

Explosion rocks Tehran rally

Inside Iran, tensions escalated further after a large explosion struck the Ferdowsi Square in Tehran during a massive rally marking Quds Day. Thousands had gathered at the state-organized event, which typically features chants against Israel and the United States.

Israel had warned shortly before the blast that the area could be targeted. However, Iran’s near-total internet shutdown meant many residents likely did not see the warning.

There were no immediate reports of casualties. Iranian judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei was present at the rally and continued an interview with state television despite the explosion. Surrounded by bodyguards, he declared that Iran “under this rain of missiles will never withdraw.”

Israeli strikes expand across Iran

The Israeli military said its forces struck more than 200 targets across Iran within 24 hours, including missile launchers, air defense systems, and weapons production sites.

In Washington, Pete Hegseth said more than 15,000 enemy targets have been hit since the conflict began, averaging over 1,000 strikes per day.

The growing confrontation has also intensified the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah have killed at least 773 people, including more than 100 children and 18 paramedics, since fighting erupted 10 days ago. Nearly 850,000 residents have been displaced.

An Israeli strike on a health care center in the village of Burj Qalaouiyah killed 12 medical workers early Saturday, while another strike in the coastal city of Sidon earlier killed at least eight people.

Regional attacks and U.S. losses

Iran has continued to launch attacks across the Gulf region. In Oman, two people were killed after drones crashed in the Sohar region, according to the Oman News Agency.

A U.S. official said the Navy destroyer USS Oscar Austin intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile over Turkey on Friday. It marked the third such interception over the NATO member country in the past two weeks.

The U.S. military also confirmed that all six crew members aboard a Boeing KC‑135 Stratotanker were killed when the aircraft crashed in Iraq. The incident raised the U.S. death toll in the conflict to at least 13 service members.

Mike DeWine said three of the victims were members of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing.

U.S. Central Command said the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire and involved two aircraft, one of which landed safely.

Uncertain end to the conflict

In an interview with Fox News, Trump suggested the war could end once he personally determines the situation has stabilized.

“When I feel it in my bones,” he said.

The former president also expressed skepticism that Iranians could overthrow the country’s ruling system without weapons, citing the powerful paramilitary Basij, which has historically suppressed anti-government protests.

Despite diplomatic pressure and mounting casualties, the war shows little sign of easing, with military operations continuing across Iran, Israel, and neighboring countries while global markets remain on edge over the potential disruption of oil supplies.

Iran tells world ‘get ready for US$200 a barrel’

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Iran tells world ‘get ready for US$200 a barrel’

DUBAI/TEL AVIV — Iran’s military command warned on Wednesday that global oil prices could surge to as high as US$200 per barrel as attacks on ships in the Gulf and continued fighting across the Middle East threaten one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

The warning came after three additional merchant vessels were struck by projectiles in the blockaded Gulf, raising the number of ships reportedly hit since the conflict began to 14, according to maritime security monitoring agencies.

Iran’s military spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, said escalating tensions and instability in the region could drive energy prices sharply higher. “Get ready for oil be US$200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security which you have destabilised,” Zolfaqari said, addressing the United States.

The remarks came as the war between Iran, the United States, and Israel continued to intensify nearly two weeks after large-scale airstrikes began on Feb. 28. Despite heavy bombardment described by the Pentagon as the most intense strikes yet against Iran, Tehran demonstrated it still retains the ability to retaliate and disrupt energy supplies across the region.

At the center of global concern is the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway along Iran’s coast through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes. Shipping through the passage has effectively been halted, marking the most severe disruption to global energy flows since the oil shocks of the 1970s.

Although oil prices briefly spiked to nearly US$120 per barrel earlier this week, they later eased to around US$90, reflecting investor expectations that U.S. President Donald Trump may seek a rapid end to the conflict he launched alongside Israel.

However, fighting on the ground and at sea has shown no signs of easing. Iran continued missile and drone attacks on regional targets while airstrikes and missile exchanges were reported across several countries.

In one of the latest incidents at sea, crews were evacuated from a Thai-flagged bulk carrier after an explosion triggered a fire on board. A Japan-flagged container ship and a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier were also damaged in separate attacks.

The conflict has also extended to financial and civilian infrastructure. After offices of a bank in Tehran were hit overnight, Zolfaqari warned that Iran could retaliate by targeting banks that conduct business with the United States or Israel. He advised civilians to remain at least 1,000 meters away from bank buildings across the region.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials acknowledged privately that Iran’s governing system could survive the war despite the ongoing military campaign, according to a senior Israeli official cited by Reuters. Other Israeli officials said there was no indication that Washington was close to ending the conflict.

Inside Iran, massive funeral processions were held Wednesday for top military commanders killed in recent airstrikes. Large crowds carried coffins and waved flags and portraits of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.

An Iranian official told Reuters that Mojtaba Khamenei was lightly injured early in the war during an airstrike that reportedly killed his father, mother, wife and one of his sons. The 56-year-old leader has not appeared in public or issued a direct statement since the conflict began.

Iran’s military also said it had launched missile strikes on a U.S. base in northern Iraq, the U.S. naval headquarters for the Middle East in Bahrain, and targets in central Israel. Explosions were reported in Bahrain, while two drones crashed near Dubai International Airport, injuring four people.

Residents in Tehran described adapting to frequent nightly airstrikes that have driven hundreds of thousands of people out of the capital while smoke from burning oil facilities has reportedly polluted the air.

“There were bombings last night but I did not get scared like before. Life goes on,” said Farshid, a 52-year-old resident who spoke to Reuters by phone.

Amid the escalating crisis, governments are weighing emergency measures to stabilize global energy markets. The International Energy Agency is expected to recommend releasing 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves worldwide — a record amount — though analysts note the supply would only equal about three weeks of normal shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. and Israeli officials say their objective is to eliminate Iran’s ability to project military force beyond its borders and dismantle its nuclear program. At the same time, both countries have encouraged Iranians to challenge the nation’s clerical leadership.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military operation would continue indefinitely.

“The operation will continue without any time limit, as long as required, until we achieve all objectives and win the campaign,” Katz said Wednesday.

Iran has responded by declaring that it will not allow oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz until U.S. and Israeli attacks cease, and that it will not enter negotiations under current conditions. President Trump has warned that the United States would strike Iran “twenty times harder” if the blockade continues, though Washington has not publicly detailed any plan to reopen the strait.

Elsewhere in the region, Israel launched new strikes on Beirut targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Tehran.

The human toll of the conflict continues to rise. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said more than 1,300 Iranian civilians have been killed since the airstrikes began. Israeli attacks in Lebanon have also left dozens dead.

Iranian missile strikes on Israel have killed at least 11 people, while two Israeli soldiers have died in fighting in Lebanon. The United States said seven of its soldiers have been killed and around 140 others wounded since the start of the conflict.

With reports from Reuters

TAOxArtCircle10: Laguna artists unite for culture, community, and compassion

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
TAOxArtCircle10: Laguna artists unite for culture, community, and compassion

STA. CRUZ, Laguna — TAOxArtCircle10, a vibrant collective of ten visual artists from across Laguna, is making waves in the local art scene by combining creativity with social advocacy. Founded by Maestro Tom Alvarado and co-headed by Maestra Catherine Lizo-Hernandez, the group brings together talented painters, mixed-media artists, and contemporary storytellers from various municipalities in the province.

The name TAOxArtCircle10 embodies both the Filipino word tao (human) and the strength of artistic collaboration, reflecting the idea that individual creativity becomes more powerful when shared for a common purpose. Through exhibitions, cultural events, and outreach initiatives, the collective aims to promote Laguna as a hub of artistic excellence while fostering camaraderie among local artists. The members of TAOxArtCircle10, including Alvarado, Lizo-Hernandez, Eva Correa Simon, Ameer Catindihan, Nathaniel Lucido Umal, Bayan Ray Basa Acala, Joey Jacobe, Jojie Yasto Arroyo, Zeus Tope, Angeline Rosales, Marpolo Cabrera, and Jowel Legaspi Banto, each contribute a distinct voice and style, blending technical mastery with contemporary storytelling to showcase the province’s rich artistic diversity.

In celebration of the ANILAG Festival 2026, TAOxArtCircle10 presents “AKAY ni SOL: Likha Para sa Kapwa,” an exhibition that highlights art as a vehicle for compassion and community support. The show brings together works from all ten artists, each expressing individual journeys while collectively promoting bayanihan, empathy, and solidarity. The exhibit runs from March 13 to March 26, 2026, at the Laguna Provincial Capitol Main Lobby, with the formal opening on March 13 at 10:00 AM. Through this initiative, the collective aims to inspire audiences to see art not just as a visual experience but as a means to uplift communities and contribute to meaningful causes.

As founder and head of TAOxArtCircle10, Maestro Tom Alvarado is widely respected for his artistic skill and commitment to mentoring emerging artists. He envisions art as a catalyst for social transformation, advocating projects that foster collaboration, cultural pride, and community engagement. Alvarado believes that art should be experienced, shared, and used to uplift others, a philosophy reflected in “AKAY ni SOL: Likha Para sa Kapwa.” His leadership has helped the collective participate in exhibitions and cultural initiatives that celebrate Laguna’s identity while supporting social causes, making him a cornerstone of the province’s artistic landscape.

Through TAOxArtCircle10, Alvarado and his fellow artists continue to demonstrate that creativity, when united with purpose, can bridge communities, celebrate heritage, and inspire positive change.

In celebration of the ANILAG Festival 2026, TAOxArtCircle10 presents “AKAY ni SOL: Likha Para sa Kapwa,” an exhibition that highlights art as a vehicle for compassion and community support.

House bill na magbibigay kay Marcos ng kapangyarihang suspindihin ang excise tax, aprubado sa 2nd reading

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
House bill na magbibigay kay Marcos ng kapangyarihang suspindihin ang excise tax, aprubado sa 2nd reading

MAYNILA — Inaprubahan ng House of Representatives noong Miyerkules sa ikalawang pagbasa ang isang panukalang batas na nagbibigay kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ng emergency power na suspindihin o bawasan ang excise tax sa mga produktong petrolyo, bilang tugon sa pagtaas ng presyo ng langis sa pandaigdigang merkado, isang hakbang na itinuturing ng mga mambabatas na mas lalong mahalaga dahil sa nagpapatuloy na sigalot sa Middle East.

Sa pamamagitan ng viva voce na pagboto, ipinasa ng mga mambabatas ang House Bill No. 8418, na magbibigay-daan sa Pangulo na suspindihin o bawasan ang excise tax sa loob ng hanggang anim na buwan kung ang average na presyo ng Dubai crude ay lalampas sa US$80 kada bariles sa loob ng isang buwan bago ang pagpapatupad ng suspensiyon o pagbabawas. Ayon sa panukala, ang espesyal na kapangyarihang ito ay maaaring gamitin lamang hanggang Disyembre 31, 2028.

Ayon sa panukalang batas, ang suspensiyon o pagbabawas ng excise tax ay awtomatikong matatapos kapag nawala na ang mga kondisyon na nagbigay-daan dito, at ang excise tax ay awtomatikong maibabalik nang hindi na kailangan ng karagdagang aksyon mula sa ehekutibo o lehislatura.

Lalo pang bumigat ang halaga ng panukala kasunod ng babala ng Iran na maaaring umabot sa US$200 kada bariles ang presyo ng langis dahil sa nagpapatuloy na labanan at pag-atake sa mga daungan at imprastraktura sa rehiyon. Ayon sa mga eksperto, ang biglaang pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo ay maaaring makaapekto agad sa presyo ng gasolina sa bansa, gastos sa transportasyon, at antas ng inflation.

Muling nanawagan ang mga grupo ng transportasyon na suspindihin ang excise tax sa langis dahil sa pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina dahil sa umiinit pang labanan sa pagitan ng Iran, Estados Unidos, at Israel. “Kailangan agad ang aksyon para protektahan ang mamimili at panatilihing abot-kaya ang gastos sa transportasyon,” ayon sa isang kinatawan ng pambansang samahan ng transportasyon.

Nauna dito ay sinabi ng Malacañang na hihintayin ng Pangulo ang ulat ng komite sa panukalang batas bago ito ideklara bilang urgent. Samantala, magdaraos ngayong linggo ang mga komite ng Senado sa Ways and Means at Energy ng mga pagdinig sa hindi bababa sa limang panukalang batas na nagbibigay kapangyarihan sa Pangulo na suspindihin ang excise tax sa langis, na nagpapakita ng focus sa pagbawas ng epekto sa ekonomiya ng posibleng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis.

Dahil sa kasalukuyang tensyon sa rehiyon at posibilidad ng biglaang pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo, ayon sa mga eksperto, ang House Bill No. 8418 ay maaaring magsilbing mahalagang hakbang para protektahan ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas at ang mga sambahayan laban sa biglaang pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina.

Iran targets ships, airports, and oil facilities as fears grow over global energy supply

EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
Iran targets ships, airports, and oil facilities as fears grow over global energy supply

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran launched a series of attacks across the Persian Gulf on Wednesday, striking commercial ships, targeting Dubai International Airport, and threatening financial institutions in the Middle East as tensions from the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel intensified and global energy markets braced for further disruption.

Two Iranian drones struck near Dubai International Airport, the hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates and the world’s busiest airport for international travel. Four people were reported wounded in the incident, though operations at the airport continued without major interruption, according to the Dubai Media Office.

Iran’s joint military command also announced plans to begin targeting banks and financial institutions across the Middle East, a move that could place financial hubs such as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, as well as Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, at heightened risk.

Earlier Wednesday, a projectile struck a Thai cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, igniting a fire onboard. Authorities are searching for three missing crew members from the vessel Mayuree Naree after 20 others were rescued by the Omani navy, according to Thailand’s Marine Department.

The attacks have effectively halted cargo traffic in the narrow Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime passage through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply is transported. Iran has also reportedly targeted oil fields and refineries in Gulf Arab states, an effort analysts say is designed to inflict economic pressure on global markets and compel the United States and Israel to halt their ongoing airstrikes.

The escalating conflict has triggered diplomatic action at the United Nations. The U.N. Security Council was scheduled to vote Wednesday on a resolution sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council calling on Iran to stop attacks on its Arab neighbors.

Meanwhile, witnesses reported continuous airstrikes hitting Tehran after Israel said it had renewed its military operations against Iranian targets. Explosions were also reported in Beirut and southern Lebanon, where Israel said it was striking sites linked to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group.

One attack in central Beirut set a building ablaze in the densely populated Aicha Bakkar district, with flames engulfing the top two floors. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported four people wounded in the incident.

Additional Israeli strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon killed 14 people, while a Red Cross worker died Wednesday from injuries sustained earlier in the week when his rescue team was hit during an Israeli strike. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, at least 570 people have been killed in the country since the latest round of fighting began.

Hezbollah has launched rockets toward Israel following the broader conflict triggered by surprise airstrikes on Iran by the United States and Israel. Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities amid warnings of Iranian attacks, though no immediate casualties were reported.

Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted six ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, a major facility jointly operated by U.S. and Saudi forces. Two drones were also intercepted over the eastern city of Hafar al-Batin.

Maritime security incidents also continued in regional waters. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported an attack on a container ship near the United Arab Emirates, with the extent of damage still under investigation. Another vessel in the Persian Gulf was reportedly struck by a projectile, though its crew was confirmed safe.

The maritime attacks followed intense U.S. airstrikes on Tuesday targeting Iranian naval assets and the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas.

Iran’s warning against financial institutions came shortly after an attack on a Tehran branch of Bank Sepah, a state-owned bank sanctioned by the United States for allegedly financing Iran’s armed forces. The strike killed several staff members, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

Diplomatic pressure continues to mount. A draft resolution circulating at the United Nations condemns Iranian attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, and calls for an immediate halt to all strikes and threats against neighboring states, including those carried out through allied militant groups.

If adopted, it would be the first Security Council resolution considered since the conflict began on Feb. 28.

Global energy markets are already reacting. While oil prices retreated slightly from earlier peaks, Brent crude — the international benchmark — remained about 20 percent higher Wednesday than when the conflict began.

Several countries have begun tapping emergency reserves to stabilize supply. Germany and Austria announced plans to release portions of their oil reserves following a request from the International Energy Agency for member nations to collectively release 400 million barrels of crude to ease price pressures.

The largest previous coordinated release by IEA member states occurred in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when 182.7 million barrels were released from strategic reserves.

Japan also announced it would begin releasing part of its reserves starting Monday.

Military tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain high. The U.S. military said Tuesday it destroyed 16 Iranian minelayers near the strait, though U.S. President Donald Trump said there were no confirmed reports that Iran had mined the crucial shipping route.

Security analysts warn that if mines were deployed in the strait, clearing them could take weeks even after hostilities end.

Shipping traffic through the passage has sharply declined. Security firm Neptune P2P Group reported that only seven ships have passed through the strait since March 8, compared with the typical daily traffic of more than 100 vessels. Of the seven ships, five were reportedly linked to Iranian-associated shipping.

Some vessels have been conducting so-called “dark transits,” turning off their Automatic Identification System trackers to conceal their movements — a practice often used by tankers carrying sanctioned Iranian crude.

Commodity-tracking firm Kpler also reported that Iran has resumed crude exports through its Jask oil terminal on the Gulf of Oman. One tanker reportedly loaded about two million barrels of oil at the terminal on March 7.

Meanwhile, concerns are growing about the health of Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, following reports that he may have been injured. The 56-year-old leader, who assumed the role earlier this week after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has not been seen publicly since Monday. His father and wife were reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike during the first day of the conflict.

Casualties continue to rise across the region. In addition to the 570 deaths reported in Lebanon, Iranian authorities say more than 1,300 people have been killed inside Iran. Israel has reported 12 fatalities, while the United States confirmed that seven of its soldiers have been killed and eight others severely wounded since the fighting began.

US‑Iran war update: Escalating conflict raises global energy and security concerns

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
US‑Iran war update: Escalating conflict raises global energy and security concerns

The military conflict involving the United States and Iran has intensified further, with both sides escalating military operations while the global community grows increasingly concerned about the conflict’s impact on energy supply and regional stability.

U.S. defense officials confirmed that American forces have launched what could be the most intense wave of airstrikes yet against Iranian military infrastructure. According to the Pentagon, thousands of targets—including missile sites, naval assets and weapons facilities—have been struck as part of the ongoing campaign aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities.

U.S. officials said the strikes have significantly reduced Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones, though Tehran continues to mount retaliatory attacks against U.S. interests and allied facilities across the region. The conflict, which began with coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, has now entered a more dangerous phase as both sides show no immediate signs of de-escalation.

The fighting has also threatened one of the world’s most critical oil routes, the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments normally pass. Recent military activity and security risks have disrupted shipping traffic in the narrow waterway, prompting fears of a global energy crisis.

Energy industry leaders have warned that a prolonged disruption in the strait could have severe consequences for global oil markets. Oil supplies from the Persian Gulf have already been affected, forcing producers to rely on alternative routes and stored reserves to maintain exports.

In response to concerns that Iran might attempt to mine the strategic waterway, the U.S. military reported destroying several Iranian vessels believed to be capable of laying naval mines near the strait. Washington warned that any attempt to block international shipping would trigger further military action.

Meanwhile, regional tensions continue to rise as explosions and missile interceptions have been reported in several Middle Eastern locations, highlighting the risk that the conflict could spread beyond Iran and involve additional countries.

Analysts say the escalating confrontation not only threatens regional security but could also have wide-ranging economic repercussions, particularly if disruptions in oil supply continue. Governments and international energy agencies are closely monitoring the situation amid fears that prolonged hostilities could destabilize global markets and intensify inflation pressures worldwide.

The latest developments underscore growing concerns that the conflict between the United States and Iran could evolve into a broader regional crisis, with significant geopolitical and economic consequences far beyond the Middle East.

1...181920...814Page 19 of 814




Tutubi Digital News will shape up the way you stay up to date with the goings-on around Calabarzon, and the world. Tutubi is committed to keep you socially active. Tutubi updates on the Go!


Contact us:

info@tutubi.ph

Popular Posts

Popular category

PH News3481World News3396Asia1419Curiosity1007War Reports and Updates619

Developed by Tutubi News Magazine |Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions of Use | Cookie Policy | All rights reserved