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PASAY CITY—The Senate took big steps to boost community health and national security during its plenary session on August 3.
Voting 20-0-0, senators unanimously passed Senate Bill No. 1905, also known as the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), on third and final reading.
Besides this health win, lawmakers debated Senate Bill No. 2272 to expand school feeding programs and combat child hunger.
They also moved to strengthen defense ties by reviewing visiting forces agreements with Canada and New Zealand.
Key Senate leaders strongly backed the passage of the health bill, emphasizing how much BHWs sacrifice for local communities.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito highlighted how BHWs often face political displacement despite their years of dedicated service.
“This bill is a product of years of hearings, consultations, technical discussions, and the collective effort of everyone who believes that our barangay health workers deserve more than words,” Ejercito said.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joel Villanueva agreed, adding, “Sa pagpapalakas ng kanilang pagsasanay, pagbibigay ng mas maayos na benepisyo, at pagkilala sa mahalagang papel na kanilang ginagampanan, mas lalo rin nating pinatitibay ang pundasyon ng ating Universal Health Care system at mas nailalapit ang dekalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan sa bawat Pilipino.”
Senators emphasized that BHWs act as the true backbone of local healthcare, making their protection a top priority.
Senator Raffy Tulfo pointed out that BHWs work tirelessly on the ground regardless of difficult conditions.
“Ang ating barangay health workers ang tunay na first line of defense ng ating health system. Rain or shine, present sila para maglingkod sa ating mga kababayan… Mr. President, bilang co-author ng panukalang ito, panahon na para suklian natin ang sakripisyo ng ating mga barangay health workers,” Tulfo said.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan added that proper care for frontliners is essential to achieve universal health care.
“Panahon na para suklian natin sila ng sapat na proteksyon, makatarungang benepisyo, tuloy-tuloy na pagsasanay, at tunay na pagkilala sa kanilang napakahalagang papel sa ating mga komunidad. Kung seryoso tayo sa pangarap na magkaroon ng universal health care, dapat seryoso rin tayong alagaan ang mga taong araw-araw na nagsasakatuparan nito sa grassroots, sa mga barangay,” Pangilinan said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography, guided the measure through the Senate and stressed its legal safeguards.
She explained that the bill sets up a clear system for registration, continuous training, and protection against unjust removal from their jobs.
“Sa ating Magna of Barangay Health Workers, malinaw nating kinikilala ang mga BHW bilang mahalagang bahagi ng ating sistemang pangkalusugan. Hindi lamang sila katulong, hindi lamang sila tagaabot ng impormasyon. Sila ay tunay na katuwang sa primary health care. at sa pagpapatupad ng universal health,” Hontiveros said.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography, stressed the urgent need to guarantee compensation for BHWs, especially in remote areas where they are often the only medical presence available.
Reminding colleagues of past struggles to secure pandemic allowances, Go stated, "By giving the Barangay Health Workers the recognition that they have fundamental rights, it is saying that these are also their human rights."
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano welcomed the bill’s passage as a crucial step toward building a complete and fair healthcare system.
Cayetano noted how local health workers in Taguig played a vital role in keeping child stunting rates low, proving the power of grassroots health programs.
Looking at the bigger picture for national health reform, Cayetano stated, "There is so much more that we can do to build a health system we can all be proud of... It’s about time that we look at the health system holistically.”
QUEZON CITY—The stage is set for the ultimate battle of grit and public service as top government agencies gathered at the Pork Barrel Grill and Restaurant in Quezon City today, August 3.
Spearheaded by basketball legend and UNTV Cup Commissioner Fortunato ‘Atoy’ Co, Deputy Commissioner Ed Cordero, and BMPI-UNTV VP Gerry Panghulan, the meeting officially finalized the parameters for the highly anticipated UNTV Cup Executive Face Off (EFO) 2026.
With the competitive fires already burning, league officials and agency leaders locked in the groundwork for what promises to be an explosive season of sportsmanship and charity.
The primary order of business centered on a rigorous review and discussion of the UNTV Cup EFO Player Eligibility Protocol.
Organizers drew clear boundaries to ensure fair play, transparent recruitment, and competitive balance among the participating state branches.
The meeting was attended by representatives from twelve government sectors including.
Circle September 6, 2026, on your calendars because that is when the action officially goes live.
The league organizers extend an open invitation to basketball fans and public servants nationwide to come out and experience the grand opening ceremony of the UNTV Cup EFO 2026.
Witness your favorite agency leaders trade their suits for jerseys and hit the hardwood for a greater cause.
Please follow UNTV Sports official social media page for more information and updates about the upcoming UNTV Cup Executive Face Off 2026.
Win in SPORTS, Win for CHARITY.
PASAY CITY—House prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan shifted her line of questioning to a controversial acknowledgement receipt. The document bears the name "Mary Grace Piattos" as the recipient of confidential funds.
The lawyer closely examined the receipt as part of an ongoing House probe into how these funds were spent.
During the hearing, witness Roderick Wamil affirmed that the AR states Piattos "received" P70,000 for the "payment of reward (medicines)."
The statement raised immediate questions from the prosecution about the real nature of the transaction.
The bizarre wording on the document has made it a central piece of evidence in the investigation.
Looking for clarity, Kapunan asked: “So does this mean payment of rewards came in the form of "medicines"?”
Wamil answered that it cannot be determined based on the document alone. He explained that this is why they asked for additional documents from the agency.
"Kailangan macomply yung provision ng joint circular for payment of rewards," he added.
Kapunan then pushed further, asking: So are you saying this AR to "Mary Grace Piattos" is a violation of the COA joint circular? Why?”
Wamil confirmed the breach of standard rules. "Hindi ito properly supported ng documents evidencing success, which is required by the joint circular," Wamil said, pointing out the lack of paperwork.
PASAY CITY—The prosecution panel presented Roderick Wamil from the Commission on Audit as a witness to the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on August 3.
The state auditor revealed that only Vice President Sara Duterte had confidential funds among recent vice presidents.
Roderick Wamil, who served at the Commission on Audit - Intelligence and Confidential Funds Office (COA-ICFAO), testified that her predecessors did not receive these secret funds.
The statement came during an inquiry where the prosecution team questioned how past vice presidents used public money.
During the hearing, the prosecution team pressed the auditor to clarify which top officials he checked.
“Vice president Binay, vice president Robredo at Vice President Sara Duterte, sino-sino sa kanila ang inaudit mo tungkol sa confidential funds?” Atty. Lorna Kapunan asked.
Wamil answered directly and confirmed that he only checked the current vice president's hidden budget.
“Buhat po nung nag-assume ako noong 2014, tanging si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte lang po ‘yung aking na-audit na may confidential funds,” Wamil said.
He noted that his work at the specialized audit office spans over a decade, covering multiple administrations.
When asked why he only checked Duterte's funds, Wamil explained that former vice presidents Jejomar Binay and Leni Robredo did not receive such budgets from Congress.
He told the panel, “Dahil po since po nung nag-assume po ako nung 2014 sa ICFAO, wala pong naging appropriation for confidential funds si dating vice president Binay at si dating vice president Robredo. Tanging si Vice President Sara Duterte lang po ‘yung nagkaroon ng appropriations for the confidential funds.”
Filipino pole vault maestro EJ Obiena dominated the field at the 1st International Pole Vault Meeting in Halberstadt, Germany, on August 1, capturing a definitive gold medal.
Obiena wasted no time stamping his authority on the competition by clearing 5.76 meters on his very first attempt.
This decisive first-try clearance immediately put immense pressure on the rest of the pack, showcasing the precise form and rhythm that has made him a mainstay on global podiums.
The spectacular performance allowed Obiena to outclass a highly competitive 10-man international field completely.
Rivals struggled to match the efficiency of the Filipino sports icon, who navigated the bar with seamless technical precision.
By bypassing the misses that plagued his competitors, Obiena ensured a clean scorecard that secured his spot at the absolute top of the podium.
The victory once again triggers immense national pride, reinforcing Obiena’s status as a world-class contender.
With this latest podium finish secured, the Filipino champion signals to the athletic world that he remains a dominant, elite force to be reckoned with.
