General

Manila: Local stocks and the peso took a hit on Monday, as the United States imposed new tariffs ahead of its “liberation day” on April 9, rattling markets globally. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) tumbled by 4.3 percent to 5,822.85, while the All Shares index fell 4.03 percent to 3,496.77 points. According to Philippines News Agency, all sectors ended in red, with the biggest losses coming from the Mining and Oil sector, which plummeted by 8.75 points to 8,560.36. This was followed by Services, with shares dropping by 4.97 percent; Industrial, down by 4.81 percent; Financials, down by 4.60

Negros Occidental: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and the Negros Occidental provincial government have inaugurated the ‘Improvement of Recreational Trail within Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary’ project. This initiative aims to boost eco-friendly tourism in the region with a PHP10-million allocation from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF)-Green Green Green Program, as outlined in the 2024 General Appropriations Act. According to Philippines News Agency, the symbolic inauguration was held at the Capitol Social Hall, led by Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, DHSUD-Western Visayas Regional Director Eva Maria Marfil, and Provincial Administrator

Manila: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s economic team is scheduled to convene on April 8 to deliberate on the government’s strategy in response to the United States’ imminent implementation of worldwide reciprocal tariffs set to take effect on April 9. According to Philippines News Agency, the meeting is prompted by Malaysia’s call for a unified response from ASEAN member states to counter the tariffs introduced under former President Donald Trump’s administration. Roque confirmed the Philippines’ intention to join the collective ASEAN response, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation.

Manila: The government is taking immediate action to provide assistance to three Filipinos arrested in China for alleged espionage. In a press briefing in Malaca±ang Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is committed to assisting Filipinos facing legal issues abroad. According to Philippines News Agency, the three Filipinos were apprehended by Chinese authorities and accused of working for a certain ‘Philippine intelligence agency’ to gather classified military information. Chinese authorities claimed the individuals had confessed to the crime. The National Security Council (NSC) disputed Beijing’s accusations, saying the three were former recipients of a

Antique: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Antique has given local candidates a three-day deadline to voluntarily remove illegal or oversized campaign posters, warning of possible charges for violating Republic Act 9006, known as the Fair Elections Act. Comelec-Western Visayas Acting Assistant Director and concurrent Provincial Election Supervisor Wil Arce±o emphasized the importance of adhering to election guidelines. According to Philippines News Agency, Arce±o stated that several candidates have yet to comply with previous reminders issued after the second week of the local campaign period. He has sent notices to these candidates, instructing them to take down their non-compliant posters