Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Saturday, May 2, 2026.
PH, Japan boost energy cooperation
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former Japanese prime minister Kishida Fumio reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation on energy security and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, as global instability continued to disrupt supply chains. Kishida, who is now supreme adviser to the Parliamentary Association of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), paid a courtesy call on the president in Malacañang on Thursday. Marcos said Kishida’s visit underscored the importance of sustained cooperation with Japan in the face of global energy uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Read more: https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/05/02/news/ph-japan-intensify-energy-ties-amid-crisis/2333957
Controlling inflation Filipinos’ most urgent concern – survey
NEARLY half of Filipinos consider controlling inflation or the prices of basic goods and services as the most urgent national concern in the first quarter of 2026, according to a survey by OCTA Research. The survey, conducted from March 19 to 25, found that 45 percent of the respondents pointed to inflation as their biggest concern, an increase of 4 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2025. The second most urgent concern at 33 percent is increasing wages of workers, down 12 percentage points from the previous quarter, when it topped the list. Fighting graft and corruption in government came in third at 26 percent, a 6 percentage points drop, and access to affordable food such as rice, vegetables and meat at 24 percent.
Marcos vows better jobs, worker protection
REFERRING to the country’s workforce as the “backbone of our Republic,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed on Labor Day Friday to expand job opportunities and strengthen labor protections. In his message, Marcos said the working class continued to drive the country forward despite economic challenges and changing industries.
Diesel, gasoline prices up next week
THE price of fuel will go up yet again next week following a series of rollbacks as uncertainty over when the war between the United States and Iran continues. Local oil industry sources said on Friday they see diesel going up by P1 to P2 per liter, and gasoline by P2 to P3 per liter. The estimates are based on the trading of Mean of Platts, Singapore, the pricing basis of refined goods in Southeast Asia.
PH kept out of US IP rights watchlist
THE Philippines has stayed out of an intellectual property (IP) rights watch list for a 13th straight year with the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) citing progress in the country’s protection and enforcement efforts. In a Special 301 report released Thursday, the USTR noted initiatives such as the establishment of the E-Commerce Bureau and public awareness campaigns by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. The USTR, however, noted that the Philippines had been tagged as a leading source of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
Paralympian grateful to be part of Hall of Fame
ADELINE Dumapong, the first Filipina Paralympic bronze medalist, could not contain her emotions when she learned that she was nominated to be enshrined in the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame. The multi-titled powerlifter, who gave the Philippines its first medal in the Paralympic Games in 2000, said that this is a reflection on how para athletes are revered and supported in the Philippines today.
Antonio Contreras and Ingming Aberia are today’s front page columnists. Contreras claims the country has accountability reduced to a performance, while Aberia asks if the hunt for Zaldy Co is all for show.
Today’s editorial analyzes the recent bill shock surrounding electricity consumers. Read the full version in the paper’s opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
Read more: https://www.manilatimes.net/opinion
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