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The Armed Forces of the Philippines has welcomed a reported US plan to build a refueling depot in Mindanao by 2028, saying it would boost humanitarian response and maritime security under existing defense agreements while remaining under Philippine control.

Officials described the facility as a deterrence asset amid regional tensions, including in the West Philippine Sea.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/12/2520362/afp-ok-planned-us-refueling-depot-mindanao

Senators who achieved a perfect attendance in the Senate's first regular session from July 28, 2025 to March 18, 2026 almost reached the halfway mark while four senators had responded to the roll call on all 58 session days.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa had the highest number of absences, marked at 31 days.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/10/2519995/who-scored-perfect-senate-attendance-data-puts-focus-batos-31-absences

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said that the government has acquired 165 million liters of oil through the Philippine National Oil Corp.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/04/10/2520013/165-million-liters-oil-already-secured-more-coming-doe

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) criticized the Diocese of Kalookan’s recent apology, saying it overlooked the main issue of how the animals were treated. Full story

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the release of P8 billion in assistance to over 42,000 barangays nationwide to help cushion the impact of the Middle East crisis, Malacañang said.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/10/2519977/marcos-oks-p8-billion-aid-barangays-students-amid-crisis

The government, through the Department of Transportation, will implement a service contracting program for jeepneys, President Bongbong Marcos said.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/09/2519810/marcos-govt-launch-service-contracting-program-jeepney-drivers-amid-oil-crisis

President Bongbong Marcos on Thursday called on Filipinos to uphold compassion, unity and love of country as he marked Araw ng Kagitingan, stressing that true national strength is seen in how the nation stands together and perseveres through challenges.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/09/2519773/marcos-urges-filipinos-embody-valor-araw-ng-kagitingan

The Supreme Court has not issued a temporary restraining order on the impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.

This comes after Duterte filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition, with a request for an urgent temporary restraining order to prevent the House Committee on Justice from further acting on the impeachment complaints filed against her.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/09/2519604/supreme-court-denies-vp-sara-plea-stop-impeachment-proceedings

The Philippines will take advantage of the two-week ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday, April 8.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/08/2519577/marcos-ph-take-advantage-2-week-ceasefire-fuel-relief-uncertain

A Manila court on Tuesday, April 7, granted the House of Representatives' request to bring detained witness Ramil Madriaga before the justice committee on April 14, when the panel is set to air out his explosive claim of being Vice President Sara Duterte's supposed "bagman" of confidential funds.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/08/2519575/court-clears-vp-saras-self-proclaimed-bagman-testify-april-14-impeach-hearing

Two Philippine schools have placed for the first time in the global top 100 of QS' world university rankings by subject, according to its latest edition, but the country still trails its Southeast Asian neighbors with higher-ranked academic programs.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/08/2519565/ph-breaks-qs-global-top-100-subject-still-far-behind-sea-neighbors

Vice President Sara Duterte urged the Supreme Court to halt the impeachment proceedings against her.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/08/2519557/vp-sara-asks-supreme-court-stop-impeachment-raps

The Bureau of Immigration said that foreign nationals in Siargao who violate immigration laws will face sanctions.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/08/2519331/immigration-rule-breaking-foreigners-siargao-face-penalties

The Philippine government has no plans to ban Roblox, officials said Tuesday, April 7.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/04/07/2519317/roblox-wont-be-banned-philippines-after-child-safety-talks

Mexican actor Carlos Diehz welcomed the warm reception of Filipinos to the Tagalog dub of the Oscar-winning movie "Conclave."

Read: https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2026/04/07/2519306/conclave-star-praises-filipinos-reception-films-tagalog-dub

Inflation in the Philippines climbed to 4.1% in March, driven largely by a sharp surge in transport costs as the global oil crisis ripples locally. From commuting to basic goods like rice and vegetables, Filipinos are now paying more across the board.

With pressures expected to persist in the coming months, how far will this impact go?

Read: https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/04/07/2519278/oil-crisis-pushes-philippine-inflation-41-transport-costs-surge

The Philippines ranked No. 1 globally as an outsourcing destination in a global index, edging out traditional leader India on the strength of cost competitiveness, English proficiency and workforce capability.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/04/07/2519129/philippines-tops-outsourcing-index-beating-india

Pope Leo XIV has expressed interest in visiting the Philippines, Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David said.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/06/2519066/pope-leo-xiv-interested-visiting-philippines-says-cardinal

Half of the jeepney operators in a major national transport group have stopped plying their routes, the group's president said Monday, April 6, as they are now unable to keep up with rising diesel prices.

The other half could follow by Wednesday.

Read: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/06/2519061/wider-stoppage-seen-jeepney-operators-stop-plying-routes-over-fuel-prices