Jasha Gamao

PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Tourism, led by Senator JV Ejercito, launched a sweeping inquiry on Tuesday, February 3, into the soaring costs of domestic travel and the country’s lagging infrastructure. 

Lawmakers slammed the current state of local travel, noting that it is often more expensive for Filipinos to fly within their own provinces than to travel abroad. 

Ejercito emphasized that the Department of Tourism (DOT) must prioritize fixing broken infrastructure—from dilapidated seaports to congested airports—to ensure that the National Tourism Development Plan actually translates into an affordable reality for everyday citizens.

The hearing took a sharp turn as Senator Raffy Tulfo confronted Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco over allegations of "self-promotion" in marketing materials. 

Tulfo presented slides of magazines and promotional displays where Frasco’s image was prominently featured, Likening the Secretary's visibility to that of a "vlogger" rather than a promoter of destinations. 

Frasco fired back, asserting that her presence on the ground across 56 provinces was about accountability and leadership, not optics. She further clarified that a controversial magazine cover in Japan was published without her consent or the use of government funds.

Beyond the heated exchanges, the panel shifted focus to legislative measures aimed at making Philippine tourism more inclusive. 

Senators discussed bills specifically designed to mandate PWD-friendly and senior-citizen-accessible facilities at all major tourist sites. 

By pushing for stricter safety protocols and universal design standards, the committee aims to transform the Philippines into a destination that is not only world-class in beauty but also accessible to all Filipinos, regardless of physical ability or age.

QUEZON CITY—The House Committee on Justice officially declared the second impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. sufficient in form during a high-stakes hearing on Monday, February 2. 

With a decisive 35-9-1 vote, the panel confirmed that the document, filed by Liza Largoza Maza and several co-petitioners, meets the necessary procedural requirements to move forward.

The proceedings took a dramatic turn immediately following the vote when Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante staged a walkout. Abante, a vocal critic of the move, exited the session hall to signal his strong objection to the committee's decision. 

"Realizing that this is actually an exercise in futility and a waste of the people's money, I therefore would like to walk out of this hearing right now," said Abante.

With this crucial decision, the committee is now set to deliberate on whether the complaint is sufficient in substance. This next phase will determine if the charges leveled by Maza’s group provide enough factual and legal basis to warrant a formal trial. 

QUEZON CITY—A coalition of civil society leaders led by Tindig Pilipinas filed a fresh impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday morning, February 2. 

Endorsed by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, the complaint accuses the Vice President of culpable violations of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust. 

Prominent figures including Kiko Aquino Dee, Ging Deles, and Fr. Flavie Villanueva were among the petitioners to spearhead the filing.

This latest legal challenge is the second to be filed today, coming shortly after a separate complaint from the Makabayan bloc. 

As the House Committee on Justice prepares to deliberate on these filings, the petitioners emphasized that the move is a necessary step toward ending a "culture of impunity" and holding the nation’s second-highest official accountable for alleged administrative and criminal lapses.

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MANILA—Alex Eala electrified the home crowd on Monday, January 26 delivering a masterclass performance to sweep Russia’s Alina Charaeva, 6-1, 6-2, in the opening round of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open in Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila. 

The Filipina sensation wasted no time asserting her dominance, dismantling Charaeva’s defense with precision strikes to take the first set in lopsided fashion. 

Playing with the poise of a seasoned veteran and the fire of a local icon, Eala proved exactly why she is the country's premier tennis star, needing just 76 minutes to secure her clinical victory.

The match reached a fever pitch in the second set when Eala flipped the script on a momentary lapse. After falling into an early 0-2 hole, she ignited a six-game scoring blitz, effectively shutting out Charaeva to close the door on any comeback hopes. 

The Manila crowd rose in a deafening standing ovation as Eala sealed the win, punctuating a roaring debut that set a high bar for the rest of the tournament.

Catch all updates about the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open 2026 from January 26-31, 2026 on UNTV Sports and UNTV News and Rescue.

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PASAY CITY—Fifteen senators from both the majority and minority blocs filed Senate Resolution No. 256 on January 27, formally condemning Chinese embassy officials for their recent verbal attacks on Philippine leaders. 

Led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Francis Pangilinan, the Senate moved to protect national sovereignty following a string of "improper" criticisms from Beijing’s diplomats regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute. 

The resolution pulls no punches, explicitly denouncing the Chinese embassy for castigating Philippine officials who were simply performing their official duties. 

The signatories argued that such behavior grossly violates accepted standards of diplomatic conduct and undermines the mutual respect required between sovereign states. 

By filing this measure, the senators including Panfilo Lacson, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Risa Hontiveros aim to send a clear message that foreign interference in domestic governance and maritime defense will not be tolerated.