Jasha Gamao

The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) community is mourning the sudden loss of standout student-athletes Rene Clert “Bobet” N. Baterbonia and Divine Adili following a drowning incident in Aurora on June 8. 

Baterbonia, a rising star in Philippine basketball and the reigning Palarong Pambansa 2025 Most Valuable Player, was widely celebrated as the university’s "Gentle Giant." 

University President Karel S. San Juan, SJ, confirmed the heartbreaking news in an official statement today, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of two promising athletes who were deeply cherished by their teammates, peers, and the broader community.

University officials are demanding a thorough investigation into the incident that claimed the lives of both players just a week after Baterbonia took major steps toward his athletic future. 

"We trust that the circumstances of this tragedy will be examined fully, and that whatever is found will be addressed with honesty and care for the families," President San Juan stated, emphasizing that the institution does not take this immense sorrow lightly. 

The university has extended its deepest condolences to the grieving families and is calling for prayers across the campus community during this difficult time.

In honor of Baterbonia and Adili, Ateneo de Davao will hold a memorial Mass on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Senior High School Chapel. 

The service is open to all students, faculty, and well-wishers who want to pay their respects to the late athletes. 

As the campus rallies to support the bereaved families, the community remembers Baterbonia and Adili not just for their formidable presence on the court, but for the humility, leadership, and genuine kindness they brought to everyone around them.

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Filipina tennis phenom Alex Eala captured her first career grass-court title on Sunday night, June 7, 2026 staging a gritty comeback to win the WTA 125 Lexus Birmingham Open 2026 at the Edgbaston Priory Club in England. 

The 21-year-old sports icon overcame a one-set deficit to defeat her own doubles partner, Nikola Bartunkova of the Czech Republic, in a grueling 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 thriller. 

Eala dug deep in the final set, breaking Bartunkova late to seal the historic victory and prove her elite adaptability on the slick grass surface.

This championship mark's Eala’s second career WTA 125 title, building on her breakout triumph at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico last year. 

The victory places Eala to the world ranking of No. 39 in the singles category, firmly establishing her among the sport's global elite. 

As the grass-court season heats up, the Filipino superstar carries massive momentum into the summer majors. 

Her historic win in Birmingham not only underscores her personal ascent but also marks a proud new milestone for Philippine tennis on the world stage.

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PASAY CITY—Four days after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe of the Cayetano’s bloc, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee of the Gatchalian bloc officially reopened its investigation as well into anomalous government flood control projects on June 8, targeting deep-seated kickback schemes within state infrastructure programs. 

Led by newly organized panel leadership, the committee gathered top officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Office of the Ombudsman. 

The high-profile briefing aimed to secure critical updates on the prosecution of personalities already implicated in the multimillion-peso scam.

Senator Erwin Tulfo strictly drew the line against political theater, vowing to anchor the revived inquiry entirely on hard evidence and credible testimony rather than speculation. 

Presiding over the committee meeting, Tulfo rejected reckless allegations and emphasized that the panel’s priority is uncovering the truth while pushing for pending legislative reforms to safeguard government infrastructure spending. 

“Tungkulin po ng Blue Ribbon Committee na tiyakin na ang bawat alegasyon ay nakabatay sa matibay na ebidensya at mapagkakatiwalaang testimonya…Hindi tayo narito para magbigay ng hatol batay lamang sa haka-haka. Narito tayo upang alamin ang katotohanan,” Senator Tulfo stressed, shifting the focus toward strengthening anti-corruption measures.

The hearing took a sharp turn when all 18 former security aides, who previously claimed firsthand knowledge of the irregularities, failed to appear despite receiving official notices. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian zeroed in on their absence, expressing deep regret over their non-appearance. 

“Ito po ang pinakamahalagang venue para ilahad ang katotohanan,” Senate President Pro Tempore Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian pointed out several critical inconsistencies and gaps in the joint affidavit previously submitted by the bodyguards, who had claimed they personally delivered billions of pesos in flood control kickbacks to various politicians.

Lawmakers emphasized that appearing before the panel remains the single most important venue for the whistleblowers to substantiate their massive claims. 

Moving forward, the Blue Ribbon Committee of the Gatchalian bloc plans to crack down on the missing witnesses while working closely with the NBI and the Ombudsman to review the financial trail.

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PASAY CITY—Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano launched a scathing attack against Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian on June 8, claiming that a political divide has effectively split the upper chamber into two distinct institutions. 

Speaking at a press conference, Cayetano accused Gatchalian of usurping authority by acting as the Senate President without proper mandate, driven by a stubborn refusal to back down. 

“Nag uusurp ng authority si Senator Win because he is not really the acting [Senate] President. Apparently, because ayaw niya pumayag, dalawa ang Senado natin ngayon. You have the Senate of the Philippines and you have the Senate of Malacañang,” SP Cayetano declared. 

The veteran lawmaker took his criticism a step further by targeting the chamber's powerful investigative body, asserting that the split has created two conflicting Blue Ribbon committees. 

Cayetano sharply contrasted the two, describing one as a genuine truth-seeking body and labeling the other as a "committee de abswelto" explicitly designed to clearing high-ranking government officials of wrongdoing. 

“You have two Blue Ribbon committees: ’Yung isa ay committee de abswelto na ang kaniyang main work is paano iabswelto ’yung mga high official ng bansa, at ’yung isa na seeking the truth,” Cayetano said. 

He warned that this internal rift directly undermines the independence of the legislature's primary anti-graft committee.

Cayetano challenged the public to confront what he characterized as a dangerous subversion of democracy and legislative independence. 

He framed the current political standoff as a critical turning point for the country, questioning whether citizens are willing to tolerate executive overreach. 

“As a nation, we have to decide, if the Senate will be under the thumb of Malacañang, if it is acceptable to us na we witnessed the biggest cover-up committee hearing of our generation.” Senate President Cayetano urged.

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MANILA—The PhilHealth Health Insurers still have a chance to move forward in the next round after routing the DOJ Radiance, 79-68, in the UNTV Cup Season 12 elimination round on June 7, at the Paco Arena.

The Health Insurers dictated the pace from start to finish, refusing to let up and successfully securing their second consecutive victory in the elimination.

This crucial win keeps PhilHealth within striking distance of a coveted spot in the next phase of the tournament.

Jervi Glorioso took the driver’s seat and put on a masterful performance to lead PhilHealth’s balanced attack. 

The versatile guard earned Best Player of the Game honors after filling up the stat sheet with an impressive 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists. 

Glorioso’s clinical playmaking and timely baskets continuously broke down the DOJ defense, giving his squad the momentum they needed to maintain a comfortable cushion all the way to the final buzzer.

With this second straight victory following their previous triumph over the PNP Responders, PhilHealth has injected new life into its campaign. 

Despite facing an uphill battle earlier in the season, the Health Insurers are peaking at the right time.

“We’re so thankful na nanalo kami ngayon at nung previous game namin against PNP. So, yun ito yung chance namin para makapasok sa second round. Pagbubutihan namin, magpe-prepare kami ng mas mabuti, tatrabahuin namin kasi nabigyan kami ng chance na kahit maliit makapasok sa second round,” Glorioso said in an interview after the match.

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