Jasha Gamao

MANILA—The Paco Arena erupted in sheer electricity on July 8, as the PhilHealth Health Insurers delivered a spectacular opening statement in Game 1 of the UVL Season 4 Finals. 

In a thrilling, high-stakes battle, PhilHealth neutralized the explosive firepower of the BFP Lady Firefighters to claim a decisive 3-1 victory (25-18, 15-25, 25-22, 25-20). 

The triumph puts the Health Insurers firmly in the driver's seat of this intense best-of-three championship series, shifting all the pressure onto their formidable opponents.

The definitive anchor of PhilHealth's masterclass was libero Trixie Marie Laroga, who deservingly took home Player of the Game honors after a phenomenal defensive display. 

Standing as an impenetrable wall, Laroga remained locked in and alert through every rally, routinely shattering BFP's most critical and thunderous attacks to keep the ball alive. 

"Sabi lang po ng coach namin, composed ako kasi ako yung first line of defense ng aming team," Laroga shared after her game-changing performance. 

Her unwavering composure allowed PhilHealth to consistently dictate the tempo, seize control of the court, and successfully deflate the Lady Firefighters' offensive surges.

With history hanging in the balance, the ultimate question remains: can the relentless PhilHealth Health Insurers close out the series and capture their first-ever UVL championship, or will the resilient BFP Lady Firefighters find their spark to force a winner-take-all Game 3? 

The drama unfolds next at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City for a pivotal Game 2 on July 12, 2026. 

Do not miss a single second of this epic volleyball showdown—witness the action live and see who claims the ultimate crown of UNTV Sport and Charity.

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MANILA—The PNP Lady Patrollers secured a podium finish in dominant fashion, sweeping the COMELEC Suffragettes, 3-0, in their battle for bronze at the UNTV Volleyball League Season 4on July 8, at the Paco Arena. 

The Lady Patrollers set the tone early and refused to back down, executing a precise offense and resilient defense to take the first two sets at 25-21 and 25-19. 

COMELEC put up a fierce fight in the third frame to extend the match, but PNP held its ground in a thrilling duel, sealing the bronze medal with a 26-24 victory.

The victory was anchored by the spectacular play of Liezl Paginado, who earned Best Player of the Game honors after orchestrating the team's offense when they needed it most. 

Paginado was thrust into a critical role following an unexpected injury to PNP's main setter, Tin Bangcola in the first set of the game.

Showing no signs of panic, Paginado stepped onto the court with poise, delivering three crucial points and three successful attacks while seamlessly distributing the ball to keep the Suffragettes' defense completely off-balance throughout the three-set sweep.

Reflecting on her clutch performance, Paginado emphasized the importance of staying prepared for unpredictable moments on the court. 

“Always po ako nagre-ready kasi may chances po na nangyayari na ganyan kaya binibigyan ko po ng confidence yung sarili ko na maibigay po yung best ko at saka kailangan po namin makuha itong bronze po,” Paginado said in a post-game interview.

Her readiness and self-belief proved to be the ultimate game-changer, lifting the Lady Patrollers to a well-deserved third-place finish in the tournament.

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The stakes have never been higher as the UNTV Volleyball League Season 4 explodes into the championship round. 

The historic Paco Arena in Manila is set to ignite on July 8, 2026, for Game 1 of the highly anticipated best-of-three finals series. 

Expect a high-octane battle for public service sports supremacy as the tournament's top powerhouses collide in a match where every single spike and dive matters.  

Headlining this epic showdown is the blockbuster matchup between the BFP Lady Firefighters and the PhilHealth Health Insurers. 

Both squads enter the arena armed with unique championship-caliber strengths. 

The Lady Firefighters bring a blazing, high-octane offense and disciplined defensive walls that can defuse any rally. 

Meanwhile, the Health Insurers counter with their signature resilience, tactical court coverage, and a relentless transition game. 

Having dominated the grueling eliminations and intense semifinals, both teams possess the depth, heart, and championship DNA required to capture the coveted Season 4 crown.  

Do not miss a single second of this thrilling Sports and Charity action! 

Pack the stands live at the Paco Arena to feel the roaring energy of the crowd, or catch every explosive play from the comfort of your screen by tuning into the livestream via UNTV Sports' official social media pages. 

Support your favorite public servants as they play their hearts out for their chosen charities, clear your schedules, because Game 1 is going to be an absolute thriller!

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Vice President Sara Duterte forcefully asserted today that presidential opinions hold no weight in impeachment proceedings, insisting that the process must strictly adhere to the Constitution and due process. 

Reacting to recent political commentary surrounding a pending trial, Duterte defended a respondent’s right to be represented solely by counsel, framing the decision to skip personal testimony as a legitimate legal strategy. 

"The opinion of a President in an impeachment proceeding is of no importance," Vice President Duterte stated categorically in an official release on Monday. 

"The integrity of an impeachment trial depends on adherence to the rule of law—not on whether the respondent personally takes the stand." The Vice President continued.

Duterte firmly pushed back against critics who view a refusal to testify personally as an admission of guilt or a dodge of public accountability. 

She emphasized that the burden of proof rests entirely on the prosecution, and utilizing legal representation is a protected constitutional right that does not diminish transparency. 

"Choosing to appear through counsel rather than testify personally does not diminish accountability or imply a lack of transparency," the Vice President maintained, shifting the focus back onto legal standards rather than political theater.

Closing her statement with a sharp rebuke of speculative political commentary, the Vice President urged public officials to separate personal rhetoric from legal realities. 

She argued that governance and accountability are hollow when driven by subjective viewpoints instead of verified truths. 

"At all times, public officials are best served by keeping their personal opinions to themselves and relying instead on the law, established policies, scientific evidence, and objective facts when addressing matters of public concern," VP Duterte said.

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PASAY CITY—Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano formally challenged the Senate impeachment court today to coordinate with the Sandiganbayan and allow detained Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada to participate in the trial. 

Speaking directly on the plenary floor, Cayetano cast doubt on the motives behind their confinement and argued that their presence is vital to the trial's credibility. 

"In my personal view, may politika sa pagpapakulong sa kanila. So, in my view, allowing them to attend here will add to the integrity of the proceedings." Cayetano declared, asserting that granting them entry would bolster the integrity of the high-stakes proceedings.

The manifestation quickly ignited debate among fellow senator-judges over how to accommodate their detained colleagues. 

Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo immediately backed the motion, suggesting a compromise where the two lawmakers could at least monitor the ongoing trial through a live video feed. 

However, Senator-judge Robinhood Padilla pushed back against a remote setup, arguing that Marcoleta and Estrada deserve full access. 

Padilla insisted they should be permitted to step inside the plenary itself to observe and participate in the historic trial in real time rather than watching it play out on a television screen.

The Senate court must now weigh these conflicting proposals against the legal realities of detention as the trial moving forward commands nationwide attention. 

Because the Sandiganbayan holds ultimate jurisdiction over the detained senators, any final decision will require unprecedented coordination between the judiciary and the legislature. 

With political tensions mounting on the Senate floor, the court's next move will decide whether this trial proceeds with a fractured roster or a full plenary.

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