The City Government of Las Piñas recently announced via social media that Malacañang formally declared March 27, 2026, a special non-working day in the city in celebration of the cityhood anniversary as well as the founding anniversary.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire announcement by the City Government. Some parts in boldface…
Malacañang declared Las Piñas Day on March 27, 2026 as a Special Non-Working Holiday. This is in conjunction with the celebration of the 119th Founding Anniversary, and 29th Cityhood Anniversary of Las Piñas. Let’s celebrate our beloved City together!
The City Government’s social media post includes an image of the official signed document from Malacañang.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? How do you plan to spend the special non-working day of March 27? Are many people in your local community aware of the history of the city’s founding and cityhood?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Even as the United States is busy working alongside Israel on the war against the Islamic terrorist state of Iran, the Trump administration announced that it will launch tariff investigations on several countries including trade partners like Japan, according to a news report by Kyodo News. The probes are meant to find out if unfair trading practices exist.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration said Wednesday it will launch tariff investigations into what it sees as unfair practices by China, Japan and over a dozen other American trading partners.
According to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the move is intended to “uncover a variety of unfair trading practices related to excess capacity in production” in the manufacturing sector, and replace Trump’s sweeping tariff regime that was invalidated by the Supreme Court in February.
“Our view is that key trading partners have developed production capacity that is really untethered from the market incentives of domestic and global demand,” Greer told reporters.
The other trading partners facing the investigations, carried out under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, are the European Union, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, Greer said.
The statute, which allows the U.S. government to impose tariffs in response to a foreign country’s alleged unfair practices, was a favorite tool of Trump for justifying higher tariffs on Chinese imports when he started a trade war with Beijing during his first term as president.
After the U.S. top court on Feb. 20 struck down a large chunk of Trump’s far-reaching tariff agenda as imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, his administration introduced a new 10 percent global duty.
However, the new 10 percent surcharge, relying on a different legal framework, can only last 150 days unless Congress approves an extension.
Greer said the Trump administration seeks to complete the investigations as quickly as possible and prepare for new Section 301 tariffs within the 150-day period.
The statute requires consultations with the governments of the targeted trading partners before tariffs can be imposed.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the United States is doing the right thing with the multiple trade investigations? How do you think the Trump administration will adjust its tariff policy once the 150-day period expires?
With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and much higher prices of fuel already in effect, the City Government of Las Piñas announced that it has started implementing the compressed work week schedule to specifically cut down on energy consumption in government offices. Workers of certain departments, however, will resume their regular operations to ensure uninterrupted services.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire announcement by the City Government. Some parts in boldface…
The Office of the Mayor released Memo No. 2026-001 implementing the Compressed Workweek Schedule in the City Government of Las Piñas, in accordance with Memorandum Circular No. 114 of the national government that aims to reduce energy consumption in government offices.
Under the new schedule, city employees will go to work Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
The move aims to support energy conservation, make government operations more efficient, and ensure service delivery to citizens continues.
Offices that provide essential services such as the City Health Office, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Engineering Office, City Environmental and Natural Resources Office, and Traffic and Parking Management Office will resume their regular operations to ensure public service is not interrupted.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you have a lot of transactions to complete at City Hall? Do you know anyone who works as a City Government employee?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Since the first strikes happened on February 28, the joint military operations of the United States and Israel have heavily damaged the military, energy and government sites of the Islamic terrorist state of Iran. As the war with Iran has impacted the global economy and a new so-called supreme leader of Iran was selected, US President Donald Trump stated that the war is expected to end “very soon” but not at the end of this week, according to a news report by Kyodo News.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday the ongoing war with Iran is expected to be over “very soon” but ruled out the possibility of it coming to an end this week.
“We’re winning very decisively. We’re way ahead of schedule,” Trump, who had initially predicted the conflict could last four to five weeks, claimed during a press conference in Florida.
Trump’s remarks came after Iran selected Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader after his father was killed in the first wave of U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Khamenei, the late leader’s second son, is known for his close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise to power has raised concern among many countries that the war, entering its second week, could further destabilize the Middle East and quickly ripple through the global economy.
While insisting that the United States has achieved an “unprecedented” military success, Trump said he was “disappointed” with Iran’s choice of supreme leader.
“We think it’s going to lead to just more of the same problem for the country,” he said.
Sending conflicting messages, Trump also warned that the United States will aggressively attack Iran if it attempts to block the world’s energy supply.
“We will hit them so hard that it will not be possible for them or anybody else helping them to ever recover that section of the world,” he said.
But he struck an optimistic note on oil prices, saying they would be much lower after the war ends. On disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said the United States was less affected than China.
It seems that the joint Israel-America operations have achieved more than what was previously expected. The Islamic regime’s navy has been demolished, the air force crushed, and the oil refineries destroyed. It has also been reported that more military personnel of the regime have left their posts and moved out of the country using fake passports. The oppressed Iranians, meanwhile, should get more motivated to go out and protest as the regime’s military and police forces weaken.
Looking at the bigger picture, the massive devastation on the Islamic terrorist state made the leaders of Russia and Communist China worried. China needs oil from Iran while Russia needs Iranian-made weapons. Geopolitically, it’s like Trump’s America stuck two birds with one stone. In the case of Israel, Islamic terrorist groups are weakening now that the Islamic regime of Iran cannot support them. Going back to Iran, there are opportunities for the affected Iranians to move out of the country and enter Armenia as refugees. Already there are groups at the Armenian side of the border who intend to help Iranian refugees.
For more updates about what happened lately, watch the videos below.
Let me ending this post by asking you readers to pray to the Lord for victory, for the protection of the American and Israeli forces, for the safety of civilians everywhere, for the end of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran to happen soon, and for the liberation of the oppressed Iranian people. Pray to Him to also bless US President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as their respective administrations. Pray to God for more peace and stability in the Middle East and for the stability of the global economy.
Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government (specifically the Las Piñas City Manpower Training Center) received from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) new training tools, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Mayor April Aguilar led the ceremonial signing of the deed with TESDA officials.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
The Las Piñas City Manpower Training Center (LPCMTC) received new tools and equipment following the signing of a Deed of Donation from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)–NCR and the TESDA Muntinlupa District.
Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar led the ceremonial signing with TESDA-NCR Regional Director Angelina Carreon, TESDA MuntiParLas Tapat District Director, TESDA-NCR Assistant Regional Director Gerardo Mercado, and LPCMTC head Engineer Noel Cuevas.
Aguilar said the event marked another milestone in strengthening the city’s technical and vocational training programs.
She said that various tool kits and equipment were awarded for use in LPCMTC’s training courses. These include equipment for assembling electronic products, solar night and post lamps, automotive servicing, cookery, bread making, and servicing consumer and industrial electronics modules and systems.
The mayor added that additional tools for preparing hot and cold meals were also provided.
Aguilar said that with improved training facilities and complete equipment, Las Piñeros are now better equipped to gain employment or start their own livelihoods.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted that TESDA released new training tools to the City Government? Do you know anyone who took training courses with TESDA in the city?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
In a serious move against the selling of fake friendship route stickers online, the City Government of Las Piñas that it will pursue legal action against three online shopping platforms that constantly made such items available to customers, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. The City Government reiterated that using fake friendship route stickers constitutes penalties.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
The Las Piñas city government has intensified its crackdown on the illegal sale and use of counterfeit Friendship Route stickers and is preparing to pursue legal action against three online platforms.
Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar said the three online platforms were reportedly openly selling counterfeit Friendship Route stickers.
Aguilar stressed that legitimate Friendship Route stickers are distributed free of charge to residents of Las Piñas City.
She warned that selling or using fake stickers is a violation ofCity Ordinance No. 715-06 and may result in fines and possible imprisonment.
Under the ordinance, violators will be fined P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense, and P3,000 for succeeding offenses.
Those found violating other provisions of the ordinance may face a fine of up to P5,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
While the Manila Bulletin report did not mention the names of the online shopping platforms, the City Government’s official announcement explicitly mentioned Shopee, Lazada and Facebook Marketplace.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Did you notice that fake Las Piñas friendship route stickers have long been offered for sale in online shopping platforms with prices in the hundreds of Pesos each? Do you personally know anyone using a fake friendship route sticker while driving within the city? Do you hope that City Government’s move will compel the online shopping platforms to crack down on the sellers of the fake friendship route stickers?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Now that the demonic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been eliminated, the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran decided to attack not only America forces and Israel but also other Arab states with missiles and drones which easily caused travel and economic disruptions on the rest of the world. In response to what happened, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae urged Iran to solve its conflict with America and Israel diplomatically, according to a news report by Kyodo News. She also demanded Iran to stop destabilizing the region.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday urged Iran to seek a “diplomatic solution” amid an escalation in the Middle East conflict following U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Tehran.
At a parliamentary committee meeting, Takaichi demanded Iran stop any actions that “destabilize the region” including its nuclear weapon development, which she said is “absolutely unacceptable,” as well as attacks on its surrounding countries.
“We will work in coordination with the international community toward an early deescalation of the situation and continue to make every necessary diplomatic effort,” Takaichi said, without expressing her view on the weekend bombardment launched by the United States, Japan’s close security ally, and Israel.
Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said at the Diet session that no Japanese casualties in Iran have been reported so far, while the government is preparing for a possible evacuation operation for Japanese nationals in the region.
About 200 Japanese citizens live in Iran and 7,700 reside in total in the nations that have been attacked by Iran’s attacks, Motegi added.
The Japanese Embassy in Israel is planning to operate a bus for an evacuation as early as Monday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a press conference. Organizing a large-scale evacuation in Iran is difficult, however, because airports are closed and land routes are dangerous, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Due to its heavy reliance on the Middle East for crude oil, Japan, a resource-poor country that has traditionally maintained friendly ties with Iran, has a vital interest in stability in the region.
The Japanese government is watching the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, an oil shipping route vital for Japan, with the U.S. and Israeli strikes prompting Iranian attacks on other Gulf nations in addition to Israel.
At this stage, the Japanese stock market fell down by 2% over growing concerns about the global economic outlook following the joint US-Israel attacks on the terrorist state.
In what looked like a desperate series of moves, the Islamic terrorist government of Iran launched even more missiles in the Middle East causing more damage, injuries and deaths. Iran made it clear it does not care about the civilians in the region and they are willing to hit the Arab states recklessly. US President Donald J. Trump released a new video message telling the oppressed people of Iran to take back their country.
For updates about what happened lately, watch the videos below.
Let me ending this post by asking you readers to pray to the Lord for victory, for the protection of the American and Israeli forces, for the safety of civilians everywhere, for the end of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran to happen soon, and for the liberation of the oppressed Iranian people. Pray to Him to also bless US President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as their respective administrations. Pray to God for more peace and stability in the Middle East.
After decades of hatred towards the West, killing a lot of people and empowering Islamic terrorists, the head of the Islamic terrorist state of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been eliminated during the powerful airstrikes unleashed by Israel and America, and no less than US President Donald J. Trump confirmed it, according to a Newsmax report.
Even the Islamic regime’s own official media confirmed the death of their leader. Those who are loyal to the wicked Khamenei are openly grieving while the Iranians who craved for freedom are celebrating. The dead Ayatollah ruled Iran for decades and he was clearly a mass murderer, a human rights violator and committed so many other acts of evil comparable with what other evil dictators did. Khamenei is also the 2nd dictator to fall down during this current term of President Trump.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Newsmax report. Some parts in boldface…
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint Israeli-U.S. airstrikes early Saturday, President Donald Trump said.
“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Iranian state media confirmed the Supreme Leader’s death.
“This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,” Trump continued.
“He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do,” Trump added.
“This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.“
The president cited reports that many Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, security, and police forces “no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us.”
“As I said last night, ‘Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!'” Trump wrote.
“Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves,” he continued.
“That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated,” Trump wrote.
“The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”
Previously, Newsmax correspondent Zach Anders reported that Khamenei was killed, and Newsmax later confirmed the Iranian leader’s death.
In a televised address Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel eliminated Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, senior regime officials, and senior nuclear officials.
He added that in the coming days, “we will hit thousands of targets of the terror regime.”
“There are growing indications that [Khamenei] is no longer alive,” Netanyahu said, according to The Jerusalem Post. He did not provide additional details.
Netanyahu’s comments came after Israel and the U.S. launched attacks on Iranian military targets in what Israel has dubbed Operation Roaring Lion and the U.S. has called Operation Epic Fury.
Israel’s Channel 12 News reported that Netanyahu was shown an image of Khamenei’s body after Iranian authorities recovered it from his compound in Tehran, The Times of Israel reported.
Israel carried out a massive strike on the compound in the opening salvo of attacks on Iran early Saturday.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter updated American officials that Israel had succeeded in killing Khamenei, a source familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel, confirming earlier reporting by Axios.
Khamenei, 86, became Iran’s highest authority in 1989 following the death of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Israel long viewed Khamenei as a destabilizing force in the Middle East, citing his backing for terrorist groups including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
He had been the target of several assassination attempts since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Most notably, on June 27, 1981, a bomb exploded during a speech at a mosque in Tehran, severely injuring him and permanently paralyzing his right arm, according to The Jerusalem Post.
At this stage, the Islamic terrorist government of Iran has been severely weakened and are still operating, even vowing to keep retaliating against America and Israel. The Islamic regime already launched missiles at American facilities in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait which only showed how evil they are and how much they disregard human life.
The Iranians who were oppressed by their government and want to be free now have new opportunities to band together again and put even more pressure on the remnants of the weakened terrorist regime. Already there are several reactions and developments that happened as a result of the currently successful (and powerful) US-Israel military operations on the terrorist state of Iran. Watch the videos below.
Let’s be clear here. Khamenei was a demon and he led the Islamic terrorist state of Iran since 1989. Many times has the demonic Ayatollah declared death to America and Israel, and he openly hated Western democracy and norms. That said, the elimination of Khamenei has opened up new opportunities for the oppressed Iranians to stand up and oppose once again the remaining Islamic government forces, and take their country back. Those loyal to Khamenei can decide if they want to keep on serving the weakened regime or surrender themselves to live on with immunity.
Will regime change happen in Iran? If it does, it will alter the balance of power in the entire Middle East and cause the remaining Islamic terrorists to stop or move out of the region.
Let me ending this post by asking you readers to pray to the Lord for victory, for the protection of the American and Israeli forces, for the safety of civilians everywhere, for the end of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran to happen soon, and for the liberation of the oppressed Iranian people. Pray to Him to also bless US President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as their respective administrations. Pray to God for more peace and stability in the Middle East.
A lot has happened so much over the past several hours. Israel and the United States attacked the Islamic terrorist state of Iran destroying several government and military sites. This was the result of the wicked Iranian government constantly refusing to make a deal with America during the rounds of negotiations they had. The Iranian government never intended to make a deal at all and all they did was wasting everyone’s time which they (and their cowardly Ayatollah) thought they were buying time for themselves.
The “no deal” tactic of the Islamic terrorist regime led to the combined Israel-America military operations against Iran. I am sure the Ayatollah and his officers are regretting their moves.
For insight, watch the speech of US President Donald Trump in the YouTube video posted below. Watch it entirely and pay close attention to the details.
Now, watch the YouTube videos below for a clear view of what happened over the past several hours. Don’t rely on the corrupted mainstream news media. You can trust TBN Israel and CBN News.
For insight, the joint US-Israeli military operations against Iran is not about total annihilation at all. It’s about crippling the wicked Islamic terrorist regime (in power since 1979) and liberating the millions of Iranian people who have long been brutalized by their own government. It is also about holding the regime accountable for its decades-long record of sponsoring terrorists, murdering people, causing regional instability, extensive human rights violations and more.
The Islamic terrorist regime has to fall down and it will be up to the freedom-hungry Iranians to band together to set up a new government and take part in reforming or modernizing their society and economy.
As mentioned earlier, so much has happened over the past several hours. The compound of Ayatollah Khameni got destroyed and according to The Jerusalem Post, the so-called supreme leader of Iran has been cut off from contact. It remains to be seen if the evil Ayatollah survived as of this writing. At the same time. It has been reported that Iran’s Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in Israeli attacks. The headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was hit hard as well. Already, the people of Iran are celebrating the joint Israel-America strikes against the regime.
Of course, the evil regime retaliated by launching a heavy missile barrage across Israel. According to The Jerusalem Post report, there was a total of 125 missiles launched against Israel in the first barrage. 35 of those missiles entered Israel airspace while the rest were intercepted.
Going back to the pure evil of the Iranian regime, Iranian missiles were fired at Gulf Arab states in retaliation. Even Qatar – which has a government and the Islamic terrorist news network Al Jazeera – was a target of Iran. Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Bahrain were also Iranian missile targets!
Several Gulf Arab states said they were targeted by Iranian missiles on Saturday after Tehran pledged to retaliate against strikes by the United States and Israel, bringing conflict to a part of the Arab world that prides itself on relative safety.
State media in the United Arab Emirates said one person had been killed in Abu Dhabi, but gave no details.
In Qatar, a video circulating online showed the moment of impact of an Iranian missile on the Al Udeid Air Base.
Earlier, the Qatari military said in a statement that it had intercepted incoming Iranian missiles before they reached Qatari territory after “joint coordination.” Several successive waves of blasts were heard in the Qatari capital Doha.
Earlier, Kuwait, the UAE, and Jordan, all of which also have a US military presence, said they had intercepted Iranian missiles targeting their territory.
The terrorist regime of Iran did not really care about the Gulf Arab states at all! They wanted to retaliate against the Americans so much, they launched missiles at US military facilities in the Gulf Arab states completely disregarding each nation’s citizens. Not even the Islamist Qatar was spared.
With the joint American-Israeli operations against Iran ongoing, a lot could happen over the next 72 hours. Was the Ayatollah eliminated? Will the government of Iran surrender and give in to Trump’s demands to make the deal? Could Russia and China be feeling nervous as their ally Iran is crumbling under the might of America and Israel? A lot of possibilities could happen over the next few days, and I would not be surprised to see the Iranian people get liberated once the Islamic terrorist regime falls down.
Let me ending this piece by asking you readers to pray to the Lord for victory, for the protection of the American and Israeli forces, for the safety of civilians everywhere, for the fall of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran, and for the liberation of the oppressed Iranian people.
The new 15% tariff on imports announced by US President Donald Trump after reacting to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decision is already troubling exporters of the Philippines, according to a report by BusinessWorld.
There is concern that the new tariff may dampen the export recovery of the Philippines. It should be recalled that the American tariff on Philippine-made goods was set at 19% following the meeting between President Trump and Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. last year.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface…
THE United States government’s plan to impose a new 15% tariff on imports may dampen the Philippines’ export recovery and disrupt supply chains, according to analysts.
“Under a 15% tariff, there might be a disruption in the supply chain, because other countries might negotiate or diverge [to other markets],” Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr. said in a phone call.
“Unfortunately, our competitors here in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) are supported by their governments, but we aren’t,” he added.
Mr. Ortiz-Luis said the Philippine government must resume negotiations with its US counterparts to ensure exports remain competitive.
Philippine Institute for Development Studies Senior Research Fellow John Paolo R. Rivera said the new tariffs could dampen export recovery, especially for electronics, garments, and agricultural sectors.
“The renewed threat of a 15% global tariff signals that protectionist risks remain and could dampen export recovery if implemented, especially for semiconductors and intermediate goods integrated into US supply chains,” he said in a Viber message.
US President Donald J. Trump said he wants to impose a new 15% duty on US imports from all countries, starting Tuesday, Reuters reported. (Read related story “Asian economies weigh impact of fresh Trump tariff, uncertainties” on S1/11).
This after the US Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program, ruling that Mr. Trump had exceeded his authority when he imposed higher tariffs under an economic emergency law.
Government officials emphasized that the US remains an important trading and investment partner.
“We will continue to engage with (the US). A stable and predictable arrangement with the US will be very beneficial to our stakeholders,” Trade Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said in a Viber message.
Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go earlier said that the majority of the country’s exports — like semiconductors and key agricultural goods — were already exempted before the US Supreme Court’s ruling.
The US has long been the Philippines’ biggest export market. From January to December 2025, the value of Philippine exports to the US stood at $13.44 billion.
“We don’t know under what authority he (Mr. Trump) will impose those tariffs, and if these will last. We will have to wait until the dust settles to properly assess the impact of his new universal tariffs,” Foundation for Economic Freedom President Calixto V. Chikiamco said in a Viber message.
Reuters reported the new US tariffs are grounded in a separate but untested law, known as Section 122, that allows tariffs up to 15% but requires congressional approval to extend them after 150 days.
Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines President Robert M. Young said its members have been resuming talks with its US buyers.
“We have survived, for the last eight months, the US’ 19% tariff. So, I think we have to just go on with what we are doing, and we’ll try our best to just lower our price to be competitive with other ASEAN nations,” he said via telephone.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Filipino exporters will do better with the new 15% tariff instead of the previous one set at 19%? If you are managing a company that makes products for export mainly to the United States, do you have any backup plans when dealing with new tariffs?
Author Carlo Carrasco 