Jasha Gamao

MANILA—The COMELEC Vanguards delivered a statement win in the second round of eliminations, dominant over the Judiciary Magis with a 72-60 victory during their UNTV Cup Season 12 matchup on July 1 at the Paco Arena. 

The Vanguards maintained their composure and high energy to secure an early, critical advantage in this round, effectively grounding the Magis' defense and establishing themselves as a formidable force to reckon with as the tournament intensifies.

Vincent Curador pulled off another stellar performance on the court, boosting the early win for COMELEC and earning the well-deserved Best Player of the Game honors. 

Curador dictated the tempo and heavily damaged the opposition by racking up an impressive 21 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. 

His relentless aggressiveness on both ends of the floor kept the Vanguards ahead, proving to be the primary engine behind his team's commanding run.

Reflecting on their high-octane strategy, Curador credited their quick pace and strict adherence to the coaching staff's game plan for the victory. 

“Talagang advantage lang kami sa running namin, sa laro namin, then takbo lang lagi tapos yung play ni Coach, mga advice nila coach—ayun nagawa namin, panalo talaga, aggressive lang talaga,” Curador shared post-game. 

With this aggressive execution and cohesive team play, the Vanguards look to carry this hot momentum deeper into the elimination round.

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The Senate has officially lifted its "No Visitation" policy weeks after a heightened alert status locked down the complex due to security threats. 

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian announced on June 29, that the public can now access the building through the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms' (OSAA) new Visitor Management System. 

The restriction was originally put in place on June 9 as a temporary protective measure.

Gatchalian emphasized that the return to accessibility will not come at the expense of protection. 

Moving forward, the chamber will enforce continuous entry-point inspections, mandatory identification checks, and constant monitoring of the premises. 

"Bilang inyong Senate President, tungkulin kong mapanatili ang katatagan ng institusyon at matiyak ang kaligtasan ng lahat." Senate President Gatchalian said, adding that the Senate will keep working closely with state security agencies to protect lawmakers, staff, media, and guests.

The policy shift aims to restore open democratic access while adapting to modern security needs. Gatchalian invited the public to participate in refining these new protocols as they roll out. 

"Kasabay nito, bukas ang aking tanggapan sa anumang mungkahi. Makikinig tayo at sisikaping matugunan ang mga ito, habang tinitiyak ang tamang balanse sa pagitan ng seguridad at accessibility." The Senate leader said.

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The House prosecution panel is fully prepared and waiting for the Senate impeachment court to issue its crucial pre-trial order, exactly one week before the formal trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte begins. 

House trial spokesman Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur announced on June 29, that the upcoming order is essential because it will map out the precise procedures and timeline for the trial proper starting July 6.

“Well, handang-handa na po ang House prosecution panel. In fact, nag-aantay po tayo kung ano po ‘yung ... kailan po ilalabas ng korte yung pre-trial order nila.” Congressman Alonto Adiong said in an interview. 

He emphasized that the document serves a vital structural purpose for both sides, stating, “So inaantay po natin ‘yung magiging aksyon ng impeachment court doon po sa kanilang ire-release na pre-trial order kasi ‘yan po ang magiging guide kung anong magiging flow ng actual trial sa July 6.”

Beyond setting the trial's flow, the document will reveal how the court resolves several friction points encountered by the prosecution and defense teams during last week's pre-trial conference. 

These unresolved matters include a request to open a sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue box containing the Vice President’s tax records, alongside a motion to use Filipino as the official language medium during the proceedings. 

Congressman Adiong reiterated that the release of this order will finally give the public and both legal teams clarity on which issues have been officially settled before the opening gavels fall.

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Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian pressed the administration on June 29, to aggressively accelerate infrastructure spending in the second half of the year to jumpstart the country's slowing economy. 

The urgent appeal follows a staggering 51.7% year-on-year plunge in April public works outlays, which plummeted to PHP 41.5 billion from PHP 85.8 billion in the same period last year, according to Department of Budget and Management (DBM) data. 

The steep drop marks the fourth consecutive month of contraction, extending a public construction slump that has gripped the country since a major flood-control corruption scandal broke out in late 2025.

Warning that state-funded construction delays directly hurt Filipino families, Gatchalian emphasized that infrastructure holds the most powerful multiplier effect for national economic growth. 

“Kung nade-delay ang mga mahahalagang infrastructure projects ng bansa, nade-delay din ang pagkakataon nating makapagbigay ng trabaho sa ating mga kababayan at mapaunlad ang ating mga komunidad. Kailangan nating makabawi para mas gumanda ang paglago ng ekonomiya,” the Senate President stated.

While acknowledging that stringent budget oversight and anti-corruption safeguards remain vital in the wake of recent scandals, Gatchalian argued they should not completely paralyze vital state projects. 

He stressed that the government must strike a critical balance between transparency and execution to pull the country out of its recent financial stagnation. 

“Accelerating public works and capital outlays is especially urgent amid the economic slump in the first quarter of the year,” Senate President Gatchalian said.

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The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) revealed on June 29, that former Ateneo de Manila University men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin does not hold a valid Alien Employment Permit (AEP) or a certificate of exemption. 

During a motu proprio clarificatory conference led by DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino, the agency confirmed that Baldwin has not completed any applications required for foreign nationals to work legally in the country. 

Standing firm on the agency's authority, Tolentino underscored the gravity of the violation stating, “If you don't have that (AEP), you're here illegally. Everything you have done since the start is absolutely illegal. It's important to follow the AEP because it's in the law.”

Baldwin’s legal team, represented by lawyers Janella Flordeliza and Daniel Darvin, countered the findings by arguing that his permanent residency visa status inherently exempted him from needing the work permit. 

“That’s their allegation. If you don't have that (AEP), you're here illegally. Everything you have done since the start is absolutely illegal. It's important to follow the AEP because it's in the law.” Tolentino told the media regarding the defense, noting that the agency’s official records still reflect zero filings under current labor guidelines. 

To evaluate the exact duration, scope, and earnings of the multi-titled coach's tenure, DOLE has formally requested Baldwin’s camp to submit copies of his previous employment contracts for a comprehensive review.

The regulatory crackdown is now expanding directly to the university that hired him. 

DOLE announced it will issue a subpoena against Ateneo de Manila University officials, ordering them to formally report to the department on July 9 to explain the school's hiring practices. 

Seeking accountability from the institution, Tolentino explained the next steps of the investigation, asserting, “That's why we have to call the employer. We will call the Ateneo officials to explain their position.”

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