Jeepney drivers and various groups hold a banner saying "Lower the oil prices, Remove VAT (Value Added Tax) and Excise Tax", during a protest against high fuel prices in Manila on September 30, 2026. The Philippines has been struggling to deal with soaring fuel costs from the Middle East war, and as an import-dependent country it declared a national energy emergency in March, forcing it to cast an ever-wider net for fuel, including purchases of oil from Russia. (Photo by Jam STA ROSA / AFP via Getty Images)