Iran and Filipinos
Iran and FilipinosThe US-Israeli war against Iran has a tremendous impact on Filipinos:One, higher inflation, with higher prices of commodities and utilities arising from tension and speculation following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, where 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes. Located between Iran and Oman, it is essential for exporting oil from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the UAE to Asia. Three, security risks for Filipinos and the Philippines that any war naturally brings about. After it was bombed, Iran launched retaliatory attacks against Persian Gulf countries hosting US bases – UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait. If the Iran war takes years and Middle East Filipino workers are displaced, can our economy create 2.5 million jobs instantly for them?
Source:Philippine Star
March 03, 2026 04:51 UTC
Tennis players holed up in Dubai after Iranian strikes
Tennis players holed up in Dubai after Iranian strikesPARIS, France — A "small number" of tennis players remain stuck in Dubai following a men's tournament last week, owing to the war in the Middle East, the tour's governing body the ATP said on Monday. "The health, safety and well-being of our players, staff and tournament personnel is our priority," the ATP said in a statement published on X, formerly Twitter. "We can confirm that a small number of players and team members remain in Dubai... The players were offered a glimmer of hope when Dubai Airports announced "limited" flights would resume on Monday evening. However, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) told AFP the two World Tennis Tour tournaments, third-tier events set for March 16-28 at Fujairah, in the north east of the Emirates, had been "postponed".
Source:Philippine Star
March 03, 2026 03:32 UTC
Gilas to turn tide in July?
Gilas to turn tide in July? Justin Brownlee fights for rebounding position against Sam Froling of Australia in their game Sunday at the MOA Arena. MANILA, Philippines — It was a stinging loss to mighty Australia that left Gilas Pilipinas with a feeling of letting its adoring supporters down. With this, they reeled to a 0-2 showing in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers after falling short three nights earlier in a fighting 66-69 loss to New Zealand. The July window gives Gilas (2-2 overall) a chance at atonement against Australia (4-0) and NZ (2-2).
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:40 UTC
Hormuz
Iranian missiles and drones hit US bases and hotels housing American military personnel in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq. The Islamist regime learned much from the brief attack that happened last year. Much of East Asia is dependent on oil delivered through the Strait of Hormuz. The two most populous countries – China and India – will be most affected by the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Venezuela’s deposits may be large, but these are largely sludge and difficult to extract and process, magnifying the importance of Iranian oil.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:40 UTC
Iran’s status in doubt
Iran’s status in doubtGilas’ chances to advance hinge on how it fares against the top three Group C teams moving to the second round of qualifications. With a 2-2 record, Gilas is safely in the second round with winless Guam out of contention. Gilas’ chances to advance hinge on how it fares against the top three Group C teams moving to the second round of qualifications. With a 2-2 record, Gilas is safely in the second round with winless Guam out of contention. At the moment, the top three Group C teams are Jordan (3-0), Iran (2-1) and Syria (1-2).
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:40 UTC
Erice’s brother loses P.4 million to thief
Erice’s brother loses P.4 million to thiefBusinessman Joselito Erice, 63, parked his vehicle on Friday at his restaurant in Barangay 106 in Manila, according to police. MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice’s brother has been targeted by a thief who stole P480,000 from his car. Businessman Joselito Erice, 63, parked his vehicle on Friday at his restaurant in Barangay 106 in Manila, according to police. The thief broke the car’s window and stole a sling bag that contained cash, government identification cards and ATM cards. Authorities are reviewing closed-circuit television footage to identify and arrest the suspect.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:39 UTC
Bullet hits US tourist in Bukidnon
Bullet hits US tourist in BukidnonCapt. Romeo Arcilla, Talakag police station chief, said the tourist, identified only as Juven, was with a group taking pictures near the falls when a shot rang out. CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A 38-year-old American was injured after a shotgun bullet hit him as he was taking photos at Bayug Falls, the country’s second highest waterfall, on Sunday. Romeo Arcilla, Talakag police station chief, said the tourist, identified only as Juven, was with a group taking pictures near the falls when a shot rang out. The tour guides in the area told police that they heard a shot but did not see the person who fired it.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:39 UTC
‘EDCA sites not targets for Iran attacks’
MANILA, Philippines — The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philip pines are not United States military bases, and thus are not targets for Iran’s retaliation, defense and security officials assured the public. The Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philip pines (AFP) said EDCA sites are Philippine facilities, following Sen. Erwin Tulfo’s call for a review of EDCA and warning they could become targets in the widening conflict of the US, Israel and Iran. “Our EDCA sites are Philippine facilities. There are currently nine EDCA sites: Antonio Bautista Air Base (Palawan), Basa Air Base (Pampanga), Fort Magsaysay (Nueva Ecija), Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base (Cebu), Lumbia Air Base (Cagayan de Oro City), Naval Base Camilo Osias (Sta. “With regard to EDCA, it is essential to clarify that EDCA sites remain Philippine sovereign AFP instal lations.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:34 UTC
P41 billion tuition aid for 2.58 million indigent students
P41 billion tuition aid for 2.58 million indigent studentsStudents line up to enter Araullo High School in Manila on January 15, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — Congress has allocated P41 billion in tuition subsidies for 2.58 million underprivileged but deserving students who will enroll in private high schools nationwide in the school year 2026–2027. “This allocation will enable an estimated 2.58 million students from low-income households, as well as those in overcrowded public schools, to pursue and complete their secondary education in private schools,” Libanan said. The subsidy means the government will shoulder the tuition of students who are compelled to attend private high schools in areas where public schools are either unavailable or severely congested. Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education show that senior high school dropouts remain a concern.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:34 UTC
ICI fate known this week
ICI fate known this weekTwo months later, he signed Executive Order 94 creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), a three-member body tasked with investigating questionable projects over the past 10 years and recommending the filing of charges against those involved in anomalies. MANILA, Philippines — The fate of the body formed to investigate the multibillion- peso flood control scam may be known this week, as Malacañang is expected to act on the accomplishment report detailing its four-month operation. Despite the initial attention it received, the ICI was reduced to a one-man body and faced quorum issues after two of its commissioners resigned last December. Last month, the ICI submitted a 125-day accomplishment report to Malacañang, which will decide on its status. “The appropriate agencies are there and since it has already started, the ICI, the ombudsman and the DOJ (Department of Justice) continue to investigate.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:34 UTC
Government prepares for mass OFW evacuation in Middle East
Middle East hosts an estimated 2.2 million Filipino workers, many of whom are based in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. Currently, Gaza, Syria and Yemen are under Alert Level 4 (mandatory evacuation phase). Iran, Israel, West Bank and Kurdistan are under Alert Level 2 (restriction phase) while Jordan is under Alert Level 1 (precautionary phase). Deployment banCacdac said the Philippine government may impose a deployment ban, especially for newly hired workers, under Alert Level 2. Under Alert Level 3, the government imposes a total deployment ban, including returning workers, he said.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:34 UTC
House: 2 impeach raps vs Sara sufficient in form
House: 2 impeach raps vs Sara sufficient in formProgressive groups call for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte during a rally at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on March 2, 2026. They explained that for all intents and purposes – the “contents and import” of the third complaint filed by Saballa et al – are “very similar to the second complaint” that they filed. “We manifest our support for the third impeachment complaint filed by Fr. Saballa et al.”The Luistro panel then approved the motion to withdraw the second impeachment complaint. The teachers’ group maintained that Vice President Duterte must definitely be held accountable.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:34 UTC
Comelec, Sotto push party-list system reforms
Comelec, Sotto push party-list system reformsMANILA, Philippines — Election officials and Senate President Vicente Sotto III are pushing for sweeping reforms to the party-list system to eliminate loopholes that allow traditional politicians to hijack seats meant for marginalized sectors through nominee substitutions. At yesterday’s Senate electoral reforms committee hearing, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia urged lawmakers to pass strict legislation governing the substitution of party-list nominees, revealing how groups exploit the current rules. Some groups secure accreditation by submitting a list of legitimate sectoral representatives, such as the urban poor, only to have all winning nominees simultaneously resign after the election, he explained. Ban political partiesSotto, whose bill takes a hardline stance on party-list reform, questioned why major political parties are allowed to participate in a system originally designed for the underrepresented. Sotto is pushing to revert the system to its original intent, limiting participation strictly to defined marginalized sectors: labor, peasants, farmers, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous peoples, elderly, persons with disability, women and youth.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:34 UTC
New month, new war
“From the November 2025 low of 5,584, the index has rallied 18.4 percent – less than two percent shy of the 20 percent threshold that technically defines a bull market. A move to 7,000 and beyond would put the PSEi firmly in bull market territory,” says our stock market expert, The STAR’s Business columnist Wilson Sy of PhilEquity. But with what just happened, it’s goodbye again to a looming bull market – at least for now. Investors poured money into the local stock market for two straight months after eight years of net outflows,” according to a Bloomberg report. Our overseas Filipinos, especially those in the Middle East, are also sure to be affected because these US-Israeli military strikes are bound to hit their host economies.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:22 UTC
PPA: Expect freight costs to escalate amid Middle East war
PPA: Expect freight costs to escalate amid Middle East warMANILA, Philippines — Importers should start pricing in what could be one of the steepest hikes in freight costs in recent history, as the Philippines absorbs the impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, where some of its energy inputs sail through. Santiago said Philippine oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, so any supply disruption is expected to push up bunker costs and freight rates. Santiago said cargo throughput in domestic ports may decline if importers reduce their orders on higher costs. “There are no direct operational routing issues on our ports, but any disruption will affect freight rates, bunker costs and, eventually, cargo volumes. If freight rates go up, trade volume will drop because of higher transport costs,” he added.
Source:Philippine Star
March 02, 2026 16:22 UTC