00:01The Philippine peso breaches the 60-per-dollar level for the first time in history. The DICT
00:07puts online video game Roblox on notice over child safety issues. House Speaker Boa GD calls
00:13out the budget department for unreleased DPWH funds. Sources say the United States is considering
00:19many options in the Middle East, among them ground troops. And the Philippines again qualifies for
00:25the FIFA World Cup. The Philippine peso falls past the 60-per-dollar level, closing at 60 pesos and 10
00:39centavos on Thursday, March 19. This is the weakest level in history. At one point, it dropped by as
00:45much as 1.5% to record a low of 60 pesos and 40 centavos per dollar. The decline is
00:51also adding
00:52pressure to the BSP to step up support for the Philippine peso. The Banco Central ng Pilipinas
00:57says when it does participate in the market, it is largely to dampen inflationary swings than to
01:02prevent day-to-day volatility. Meantime, fares for MRT3 and LRT2 will have a 50% discount starting March
01:0923. The discount will apply to both blue deep card holders and white cards for senior citizens,
01:15persons with disabilities, and students. Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez says this move is a response
01:21to rising fuel prices brought by the Middle East conflict. But the Transportation Department did not
01:26specify how long the subsidized fare will be in effect.
01:31DICT Secretary Henry Aguda says the agency has placed online video game Roblox on notice.
01:37This overreports it is being used for sexual predation, grooming, and exploitation of Filipino
01:41minors. Aguda warns Roblox could face restrictions or suspension if it fails to strengthen child safety
01:47measures and cooperate with the Philippine government. Roblox serves about 380 million users monthly and
01:53has long been a creative space for people of all ages to play and build. In recent days, Roblox has
01:59drawn
01:59attention over reports that some are using the platform to indoctrinate young users into extremism or
02:04violent subcultures. It is unclear whether the threat to restrict or block Roblox in the Philippines would be
02:10enforced through a court order or unilateral government action. House Speaker Bo GD urges the
02:17Department of Budget and Management to speed up processes so government resources can be delivered on time.
02:22Billis-bilisin nyo naman ang inyong mga pagkilos. Gawin nyo naman ang inyong mga tungkulin
02:30para maging maayos at may patupad na ang mga programang sasagot sa kasalukuyang pangangailangan
02:36ng ating mga kababayan sa iba't iba mga riyon. Huwag yunong sayangin ang oras at huwag na huwag
02:46nating paghintayin ang taong bayan. The speech was unusually strong for D who is known for issuing
02:52broad and non-confrontational statements. The statement comes two days after Deputy Speaker
02:57Ronaldo Puno criticized D's leadership. Puno says no public works projects were implemented
03:02in the first quarter of 2026 due to a supposed new system of the DBM. He adds D who is
03:08presumed to
03:08have direct lines to the palace had left house members in the dark. The DBM earlier called the
03:13allegations of Puno and other National Unity Party lawmakers misinformed and said it does not
03:18arbitrarily delay projects. Sources say U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is
03:25considering many options in the Middle East, among them ground troops. This as it weighs expanding U.S.
03:31operations with the war well into the third week. Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity,
03:36a U.S. official and three people familiar with the matter say there are three options. These include
03:42securing safe passage for oil tankers through the state of Hormuz, mainly through air and naval forces.
03:47But the sources say this could also mean deploying U.S. troops to Iran's shoreline.
03:51The Trump administration has also discussed options to send ground forces to Iran's Karg Island,
03:56the hub for 90 percent of Iran's oil exports. The White House official reiterates there has been
04:01no decision to send ground troops at this time, but says Trump is keeping all options at his disposal.
04:09For the second straight edition, the Philippines qualifies for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
04:14This after the Filipinas 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in their play-in match in the AFC Women's Asian Cup.
04:20Goals by Angela Beard and Jacqueline Sawicki in the second half secured the team's slot to the World Cup.
04:26The Philippines joins Japan, Australia, China, and South Korea in the 32-nation tournament. The World Cup will be
04:32hosted by Brazil in 2027. The Filipinas ended their tough run in the Asian Cup last March 19 on a
04:39high
04:39note after winning just one group game and losing 7-0 to Japan in the quarterfinals.
04:45And that's today's wrap. I'm JC Gotinga. Thank you for watching. Click the link below for the full story.
04:51For more updates, download the Rappler app.
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