MANILA: Malacanang on Friday (April 3) labelled as fake news a circulating “announcement” supposedly from the Department of Energy (DOE) claiming there would be an energy lockdown starting April 20, 2026.
Palace press officer Claire Castro (pic) told reporters via a Viber message that the advisory, which even bears the DOE logo, is “fake news.”
The fraudulent advisory urged the public to prepare power banks, solar equipment, candles, lamps, food, and other essentials in anticipation of the energy lockdown.
In a press briefing on March 27, Castro already said that no energy lockdown was expected, following Iran’s denial of any dialogue or negotiations with the United States to end the war.
She added that the country is also ramping up efforts to secure oil supplies from other countries. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
