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Thursday, March 19, 2026
Today's Paper

PHOTO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

12 Filipino seafarers rescued from oil tanker attacked by explosive-laden Iranian boats, says PH Embassy in Iraq

By Bernadette E. Tamayo

2023 national winner Jeremy De Leon (top) invented a device that turns a smartphone or a tablet into a powerful microscope, while 2025 winner John Carlo Reyes developed a process that helps farmers produce higher‑quality, more consistent flaky salt. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Campus Press

Over P2M at stake in design and engineering contest

By The Manila Times

NOTHING FISHY President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other officials check prices at the Agora Market in San Juan City on March 18, 2026. The president said food supplies are ample.
PP A POOL PHOTO/REVOLI CORTEZ

Marcos suspends fare adjustments

By Kristina Maralit , James Daniel Danio and Red Mendoza

The House of Representatives

House panel declares impeach complaints vs Sara Duterte sufficient in grounds

By Reina C. Tolentino

'EVERYTHING IS NORMAL'
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on says that 'everything is normal' as he assures the public that there is sufficient supply of food and fuel products in the country despite the oil price shocks triggered by the war in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Agora Market in San Juan City on March 18, 2026, Marcos said that the government was 'able to keep everything at normal levels' as of this time. SCREENGRAB FROM CATHERINE VALENTE

Marcos on food, fuel supplies: 'Everything is normal'

By Catherine S. Valente

Marcos suspends fare adjustments

House panel declares impeach complaints vs Sara Duterte sufficient in grounds

Marcos on food, fuel supplies: 'Everything is normal'

WATCH: Oil price hikes no impact on Bicol tourism, says Albay mayor

How bad faith is fueling war and blocking peace

Top Japan firms offer big pay hikes, focus on Iran conflict ahead

Department of Agriculture

DA to distribute aid to farmers, fisherfolk

GOOD HEALTH FOR ALL Pope Leo XIV at his weekly general audience at Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican on March 18, 2026. AFP PHOTO

Pope Leo: Universal health care a 'moral imperative'

Alex Eala POC PHOTO

Eala battles Siegemund to begin Miami Open campaign

Strikes on energy sites drive oil spike in Iran war

Trump pays tribute to six fallen US troops in Delaware after Middle East deaths

Meta's Facebook unveils three-month creator program to take on YouTube, TikTok

US intelligence finds Iran not rebuilding nuclear enrichment after strikes

Trump nominee for Homeland Security chief grilled at Senate hearing

Oil risks seen limiting central bank rate cuts

Withholding tax obligation challenges of Asean member-states

Auto sales down 8.5% in February

Repatriation flights will continue, Palace says

China won’t freeze fertilizer exports to PH

Antonio Contreras

On the Contrary

When the state starts policing love

By Antonio Contreras

Remoto Control

A boon for books

By Danton Remoto

The Word on the World

How bad faith is fueling war and blocking peace

By Ricardo Saludo

Persida V. Rueda-Acosta

DEAR PAO

Medical certificate issued is not enough to prove the extent of wound

By Persida V. Rueda-Acosta

HEADLINES: Marcos suspends fare hikes | Mar. 19, 2026

HEADLINES: Marcos suspends fare hikes | Mar. 19, 2026

Today's Front Page

Digital Edition

LOOK WHO'S STALKING

What PH is getting right and wrong about energy crisis response

Rough Trade

Get ready for higher electric rates

The hidden cost of water scarcity: Time

By Charlene Morales

Anagel “Jay” Ledesma

Insurance Insights

The ‘W’ factor in the insurance industry

By Anagel “Jay” Ledesma

Jeremiah Belgica

My Law.IQ

Teen pregnancy: The laws we ignore, the families we need, and the future we must protect

By Jeremiah Belgica

Trump’s Iran quagmire could sink America

By Daron Acemoglu

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Repatriation flights will continue, Palace says

Iran-friendly tankers cross Strait of Hormuz

Comelec: Marcoleta not guilty but his donors are

DA to distribute aid to farmers, fisherfolk

Labor groups push for P200 wage hike

MARIJUANA ERADICATION The Cordillera police are shown here as they uproot fully grown marijuana plants during one of the operations in Kalinga, which was part of a weeklong anti-drug campaign across the region that resulted in the seizure of over P43.6 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 15 drug personalities. PRO-CAR PHOTO

Cordillera police seize P43.6M in drugs, arrest 15 in anti-drug campaign

Albay cancels Magayon Festival amid economic crisis spawned by Gulf war

Castro to Kaufman: 'Focus on your client, not politicking'

Over 26K Cebu PUV drivers to receive P5K fuel subsidy after Holy Week

Bacolod jeepney drivers fret over possible exclusion from govt fuel subsidy

Israeli authorities hang Israeli and U.S. flags at the site struck by an Iranian missile that killed two people, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. AP PHOTO

Strikes on energy sites drive oil spike in Iran war

Trump pays tribute to six fallen US troops in Delaware after Middle East deaths

US intelligence finds Iran not rebuilding nuclear enrichment after strikes

Trump nominee for Homeland Security chief grilled at Senate hearing

Mass burials readied for victims of Kabul rehab center strike

Meta signage at the Meta Platforms (Meta) headquarters in Menlo Park, California, USA, 28 October 2025. Meta will release their earnings report at the end of the closing bell on 29 October 2025. EPA PHOTO

Meta's Facebook unveils three-month creator program to take on YouTube, TikTok

Oil risks seen limiting central bank rate cuts

Withholding tax obligation challenges of Asean member-states

Auto sales down 8.5% in February

China won’t freeze fertilizer exports to PH

Alex Eala POC PHOTO

Eala battles Siegemund to begin Miami Open campaign

Chameleons test resurgence vs red-hot HSH

NU bounces back, sweeps UP Maroons

San Juan shocks Caloocan in MPBL

Filipinas meet Uzbeks for World Cup slot

The FEU Lady Tamaraws defeat the UE Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-11, 25-15, 25-22, while the NU Lady Bulldogs defeat the UP Fighting Maroons in a five-set thriller, 24-26, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 15-8, in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball round 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on March 18, 2026. PHOTOS BY RIO DELUVIO

TAMARAWS, BULLDOGS WIN

March 18, 2026

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Vigor Mendoza II is the featured guest during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on March 18, 2026. He talks about the fare increase and transport woes amid the oil price hikes. PHOTOS BY RENE DILAN

ALL IS FARE IN LOVE AND WAR

March 18, 2026

Deputy Director PBGEN Nestor Babagay Jr. Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management; PBGEN Randulf Torres Tuaño, Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office chief; Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Bernard Olalia and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre III tackle the OFW Situation in the Middle East, peace and order in the Philippines, and MMDA Reforms in Metro Manila at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on March 18, 2026. PHOTOS BY RENE DILAN

March 18, 2026

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno and Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, grace the 'Appreciation Day' of Day Care school children at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila, on March 18, 2026. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO

APPRECIATION DAY

March 18, 2026

Dr. Theo Prudencio Juhani Capeding, secretary general, Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians; Dr. Ryan C. Guinaran, country program manager, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Philippines (AHF), with other online panelists urge the European Union to stop clocking health equity during the AHF press conference in Pasay City, on March 18, 2026. The event was In commemoration of the 6th anniversary of the March 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) called for urgent action to prevent the vaccine inequity that was experienced during the pandemic. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO

March 18, 2026

NEW MAP PRESIDENT Donanld Lim is the 78th president of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP).
PHOTO FROM MAP

Special Features

Meet the business leaders shaping industries, policy national progress

CPC Central Committee Political Bureau Member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets press, answers questions on China’s foreign policy and external relations

Women building a legacy of leadership

SM introduces Sparklo Reverse Vending Machines to the Philippines for the first time

Sining Pilipinas launches art exhibit at SM North EDSA Skydome for ALL Women and Girls

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Chairman Lee Man-hee delivers a message at the 42nd founding anniversary Commemorative Service of Shincheonji Church of Jesus at Cheongju Church, Shincheonji Church of Jesus. PHOTO FROM SHINCHEONJI CHURCH OF JESUS

Shincheonji marks 42nd anniversary: From a basement beginning to a growing denomination

FCC Women’s Run PH draws 16,500 runners on International Women’s Day

Slightly peculiar-looking Rotom and Greedent appears in Pokémon Pokopia’s new video

PhilHealth assures uninterrupted frontline services amid govt-wide energy conservation measures

Dot Property, Lamudi launch Philippines Real Estate Awards 2026

The ‘Kings of P-pop’ PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/OFFICIALSB19

SB19 to make history as first P-Pop act at Lollapalooza 2026

Jun Sisa’s ‘2nd Chance’ tops Vibe PH chart

OPM bands mark new releases with ‘seven’ as creative anchor

SB19 to make history as first P-Pop act at Lollapalooza 2026

Zephanie, Michael Sager reunite in GMA’s new musical drama

Being aware of the role food plays in glucose levels is one of the best places to start. PHOTO FROM PEXELS.COM

Managing healthy sugar levels — cheat or treat?

An intimate gathering at the Samson home

A celebration of the Emperor’s birthday and diplomatic ties

Summer activities, seasonal shopping ideas

Lola K

The Sunday Times

The women who built our family

Ace Gapuz and the rise of the creator economy

Palawan ProtekTODO promotes fire safety and protection

Filipino hotel brand makes European debut with Madrid opening

Bridging the distance for OFW families

Ewing plays a game with students from the US Embassy’s English Access Scholarship Program.

Expats & Diplomats

US honors Filipino war veterans, strengthens ties in Tagum and Davao

Stock Watch

Stock indices as of Mar. 18, 2026

The Bentley Bentayga Artenara blends imposing road presence with handcrafted luxury, proving that an ultra-luxury SUV can look just as comfortable in the wild as it does in the city.

Fast Times

Bentley unveils Artenara Edition - a new take on its luxury SUV inspired by the landscape behind its name

By Fast Times Team - March 17, 2026

MARINA and BSM Philippines officials and representatives, led by MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan and BSM Group’s Guengoer Ates, during the MOU signing. (Photo by Thea Huelar)

Maritime

MARINA and BSM align on seafarer excellence and green tech

By Carmela I. Huelar - March 18, 2026

Worshippers attend Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, best known as the home of Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper,' in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 15, 2026. AP PHOTOS/MARIA TERESEA HERNANDEZ

Build & Design

Living beside Leonardo’s ‘Last Supper’

By Associated Press - March 17, 2026

ludwig federigan

Green Industries

When heat changes your coffee

By Ludwig Federigan - March 14, 2026

Street protests in Neyshabur, Iran, 2026. PHOTO FROM WIKIPEDIA CREATIVE COMMONS CC0 1.0 UNIVERSAL PUBLIC DOMAIN DEDICATION

Campus Press

Iranian Gen Z angry for being dragged into war

By The Manila Times - March 19, 2026

Boardroom Watch

Rising beyond the norm

By Khrystyn Andaya - March 13, 2026

The Philippine Rice Research Institute is upgrading its digital farming tools to help local government units better support rice farmers and improve productivity in farming communities. PHILRICE PHOTO

Agribusiness

PhilRice upgrades digital farming tools to boost rice production

By Leander C. Domingo - March 19, 2026

Keep in View

The Jay of Farming

Science & Technology

UST to recognize Pinoy sci-fi author Renato Tranquilino for science communication

Meta signage at the Meta Platforms (Meta) headquarters in Menlo Park, California, USA, 28 October 2025. Meta will release their earnings report at the end of the closing bell on 29 October 2025. EPA PHOTO

Sunday Business & IT

Meta's Facebook unveils three-month creator program to take on YouTube, TikTok

By Reuters - March 19, 2026