Jasha Gamao

PASAY CITY—Senators made a strong push to fortify the country's basic education system, urging sufficient funding for school safety, student nutrition, infrastructure, and modern technology during a Senate Finance Subcommittee B briefing on Friday, October 16, 2026. Chaired by Senator Bam Aquino, the panel rigorously reviewed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) proposed 975.96-billion pesos budget for 2027, which accounts for 13.55% of the total 7.2-trillion pesos national budget. 

Out of the proposed allocation presented by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, 2.562 billion pesos will be distributed among six attached agencies, including the National Museum of the Philippines (P1.56 billion) and the Teacher Education Council (P360 million), to ensure comprehensive support for learners and educators alike.

Senator Bam Aquino zeroed in on classroom building, student nutrition, and security measures. Aquino pressed DepEd on updates regarding its Classroom Acceleration Program and raised deep concern over a steep budget cut in the school-based feeding program from ₱27 billion this year down to ₱11.43 billion in 2027 despite mounting food costs and the pending passage of the Expanded National Nutrition Program Act. 

Furthermore, Senator Aquino emphasized the imperative to properly fund the recently passed Senate School Safety Act on third reading, insisting that the government must directly address children's everyday learning environment and nutrition.

Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito vowed to champion the restoration of slashed funds for computerization, basic education facilities, teacher development, and foreign-assisted projects. 

“We must understand what these budget changes mean on the ground, which schools and learners will be affected, which commitments can still be delivered, and where funding needs to be restored or increased,” Senator Ejercito insisted. 

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano challenged DepEd to implement bold, transformative solutions to resolve lingering system-wide challenges. 

Senator Cayetano urged the department to think beyond conventional frameworks and address long-standing gaps in classroom shortages, K to 12 funding, and child stunting despite financial constraints. 

"If we keep doing and expecting different results, it won’t happen, but sometimes you have to have a radical change. There has to be this one thing that can be done in 2027," Cayetano declared.

Senator Erwin Tulfo on the other hand reiterated that a quality education requires secure, well-equipped classrooms and access to modern tools. 

Beyond constructing physical walls and employing educators, Tulfo stressed that public spending must translate into actionable, direct safeguards for students nationwide. 

“Every peso we allocate must translate into better classrooms, better learning conditions, and safer schools for every Filipino child,” Senator Tulfo asserted.

Looking toward technological advancements, Senator Pia Cayetano emphasized the critical need to future-proof the national education framework amidst the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). She called on DepEd leadership to leverage AI as a powerful mechanism to elevate teaching methods, administrative planning, and supervisory work without allowing technology to consume students' daily lives. 

“I’m here to listen to how we are engaging with this new development, how we can maximize this as a tool for our teachers, and a tool for those who are working in terms of planning, the supervisors, the principals, and so on,” the lady Senator said.

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PASAY CITY—Lawmakers are rallying to safeguard the country's national sports development, pledging sustained financial backing for Filipino athletes despite tight fiscal constraints. 

During a Senate Finance Subcommittee D budget briefing presided over by the Chairman of the Senate Committee and Sports Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on October 14, 2026, senators vowed to bridge emerging funding gaps, stressing that government support for sports drives national pride and unity far beyond local and international arenas.

The proposed 2027 budget for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) dropped sharp warning flags after figures revealed a steep 39.9 percent cut—slashing the agency's funding down to ₱1.31 billion from its ₱2.21 billion enacted budget in 2026. 

Meanwhile, the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) pitched a lean ₱175 million proposal for 2027. Despite revenues tightening across national agencies, lawmakers insisted that funding sports programs remains a critical national investment rather than a luxury.

To offset the massive budget deficit, Sen. Go pressed for the full enforcement of a Supreme Court ruling ordering the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to remit its full 5 percent gross annual income share directly to the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) under Republic Act No. 6847. 

“Masaya na rin po ako dahil with finality, nag-decide na po ang Supreme Court for this year na magagamit niyo na po yung naaayon sa batas na NSDF yung 5% ay matatanggap noyo na po. So pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo…sana gamitin niyo po ito sa ating mga atleta, gamitin niyo sa tama, at walang masasayang na kahit isang piso dyan sa pondon ‘yan.” Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said to the Philippine Sports Commission.

Go highlighted that executing this mandate guarantees that national athletes receive steady allowances, top-tier training equipment, and full travel coverage preventing competitors from having to borrow funds out of pocket while representing the flag.

PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio highlighted the agency’s progress over the past year, outlining key priorities centered on athlete welfare, expanding regional training hubs, and accelerating sports tourism. 

During the proceedings, lawmakers also commended Filipino athletes for bringing international honor to the Philippines, encouraging them to keep their commemorative team apparel as keepsakes, while reassuring sports officials that Congress will actively explore alternative funding mechanisms to ensure no athlete is left behind.

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Filipino tennis star Alex Eala displayed flashes of her signature elite form before falling in a hard-fought, three-set battle on October 12, 2026 at the Optics Valley International Tennis Center. 

Coming directly off a proud podium run where she fought for the Philippines to capture a bronze medal at the Asian Games, the world No. 18 carried that national pride onto the tour, controlling the baseline exchanges early to claim a confident 6-4 opening set.  

The momentum shifted as 21-year-old Chinese qualifier Han Shi, fresh off an opening-draw win against Kamilla Rakhimova, elevated her service game under home-court support. 

Ranked 217th by the WTA, Shi capitalized on pivotal moments in the final two sets to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 comeback victory—marking the biggest win of her career.

Despite the early singles exit in Wuhan, Eala's relentless drive and podium-tested composure reaffirm her status as a formidable contender on the world stage. 

Having already delivered honor to her homeland, the top-ranked Filipina turns this high-level tournament experience into momentum as she continues her rising campaign on the WTA tour.

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BAGUIO CITY—Construction of the new multi-sport facility inside Teachers’ Camp is making swift progress, following a joint site inspection led by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick C. Gregorio alongside key local government and private sports leaders on October 13, 2026. 

The project, located at the PSC National Training Center, will feature a new artificial football pitch, a pickleball court, and a 3x3 basketball court designed to expand training infrastructure in the summer capital.

Joining Gregorio during the inspection were Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Anthony Gutierrez, and MVP Sports Foundation, Inc. (MVPSF) executives including President Atty. Bill Pamintuan and Executive Director Paolo Trillo. 

The continuous collaboration between state officials, municipal leadership, and private sports foundations aims to bolster high-altitude training grounds for national athletes while expanding local grassroots facilities.

Under the project partnership, the PFF is managing the installation of the artificial football turf, which is targeted for official release and gameplay by November. 

Simultaneously, the MVPSF is funding and overseeing the completion of the dedicated pickleball and 3x3 basketball courts. Once operational, the updated facility is expected to reinforce Baguio City's position as a primary hub for multi-sport athletic development.

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Three-time NBA champion and Basketball Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, touching down in Manila for a highly anticipated two-day tour. 

Filipino basketball enthusiasts quickly swarmed the terminal as the former Miami Heat superstar and 2006 NBA Finals MVP stepped foot in the country. 

Wade's arrival kicks off a star-studded visit for "TADHANA: Make Your Own Way," an exclusive event celebrating his legacy, athletic journey, and deep connection to the local hoops community.

Organized in partnership with Li-Ning Philippines, Way of Wade, and a local sports store, the October 13–14 showcase brings the basketball icon face-to-face with one of the most passionate fanbases in the world. 

Over the next 48 hours, Wade will headline a series of brand engagements, interactive sessions, and community activities across Manila designed to inspire the next generation of Filipino ballers to forge their own paths to success.

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