LIVE UPDATES: Conflict in the Middle East (March 27, 2026)

Malacañang on Friday explained the significance of drilling and testing the Camago-3 well, an indigenous energy source in offshore Palawan, as the country faces fuel supply concerns amid the Middle East conflict.

Citing information from the Presidential Communications Office, Sandra Aguinaldo reported on "24 Oras" that the Camago-3 well can produce up to 60 million standard cubic feet of gas each day, enough to power around one million households.

Two incidents of gas-and-run were reported in Quezon City and Bacolod City as the nation reels from the high prices of fuel brought about by the Middle East conflict.

The driver’s bill totaled P5,196.45, which will be deducted from the pump attendant’s salary.

The Philippines and China have resumed talks under the 11th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) in Fujian to discuss issues in the West Philippine Sea and negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the area, amid the conflict in the Middle East and the steep rise in the price of oil globally.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Leo M. Herrera-Lim confirmed that the two-day BCM was underway and mentioned the chance to discuss areas for cooperation for energy security in the region.

The country may experience some relief during the coming Holy Week, with a possible rollback of P1 to P2 for gasoline, an industry source said.

The industry source said a rollback in the price per liter of gasoline was expected because its price in the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) went down by $4.88 per barrel.

The impact of successive mega oil price hikes is now being felt at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), prompting some bus operators to reduce the number of units in operation.

Long lines of passengers can be seen at PITX. Unlike before, when buses arrived continuously, commuters say trips are now more limited and arrive only intermittently.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday said an automatic nationwide price freeze on necessities and prime commodities (BNPC) is not in effect following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a national energy emergency.

"Following the issuance of Executive Order No. 110, which declares a State of National Energy Emergency, the DTI clarifies that an automatic nationwide price freeze under the Price Act (R.A. 7581) is not currently in effect,” the department said in a statement.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said it is closely monitoring medicine prices amid the oil crisis.

“Developments are rapid… There are also other measures being simultaneously done: inventory checks and contingency planning, especially in DOH hospitals, so that stocks of medicines and medical supplies are unimpeded,” DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo said in a statement.

The Manila City government will hire more than 1,400 jeepney drivers as part of its free ride or "Libreng Sakay" program, Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso said Friday. 

Domagoso made the announcement following a meeting with 22 Jeepney Operators and Drivers Associations (JODAs). He said the initiative is part of the city government's implementation of Section 5 of Executive Order 14, which mandates economic assistance for the transport sector amid rising fuel costs.

Buses operating in Metro Manila have reduced their number by as much as 20% to save on diesel, whose prices are on a steady rise due to the Middle East conflict.

The operators are also asking the government to subsidize the difference from the P55 per liter price before the war erupted to keep them running. 

Metro Manila Consortium Corporation (MMCC) a group of bus operators in Metro Manila, said it is implementing a “shifting” of operations. 

Senator Imee Marcos on Friday called on concerned government agencies to temporarily suspend the collection of monthly mandatory government contributions amid the increasing prices of fuel and other basic commodities due to the Middle East crisis. 

These agencies are: Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).