Jasha Gamao

QUEZON CITY—The UNTV Cup officially returns for its 12th season on March 22, 2026, with an action-packed opening ceremony set for the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, at exactly 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

Organizers and team representatives finalized preparations during a general meeting on January 6 , 2026 at the Pork Barrel Bar and Grill in Quezon City to coordinate the return of the ‘Liga ng mga Public Servant’.

This season features a powerhouse lineup, including the four-time champion AFP Cavaliers, the Season 11 runner-up Ombudsman Graftbusters, and competitive squads from the BJMP, Comelec, DOJ, Senate, and PNP.

Intensity is already high as teams enter rigorous training camps to secure the championship and support their chosen charities. 

The Ombudsman Graftbusters are determined to claim the top spot after their second-place finish last year, emphasizing a "one game at a time" strategy to navigate the competitive field.

Meanwhile, the AFP Cavaliers are ramping up their schedule with five-day-a-week practices and tune-up games, confident that their seasoned roster will dominate the hardwood once again.

Beyond the trophies, the league remains dedicated to its mission of "service to the public," with all prize earnings donated to the teams' selected beneficiaries.

For more updates regarding UNTV Cup Season 12, please make sure to subscribe and follow UNTV News and Rescue and UNTV Sports social media platforms.

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PASAY CITY—Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III threw his full support behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, January 5, 2026 following the veto of P92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations. 

Sotto emphasized that the President’s decision reinforces Malacañang’s commitment to fiscal discipline and ensures the 2026 national budget remains free from questionable allocations. The move signals a unified front between the executive and legislative branches in prioritizing transparency over discretionary spending.

The Senate President described the 2026 spending plan as the "cleanest ever" but noted that the President’s veto aims to make it "squeaky clean." Sotto specifically praised the inclusion of a Senate-led provision designed to dismantle political patronage. 

By stripping away these funds, the administration aims to prevent politicians from using the national budget as a tool for personal or partisan gain, shifting the focus back to essential public services.

Sotto’s endorsement suggests that the Senate will continue to align with the President’s anti-corruption agenda during the implementation of the fiscal year’s projects. 

Both leaders are positioning the 2026 budget as a landmark document for accountability, setting a new standard for how government funds are allocated and defended against last-minute insertions.

The next generation of tennis didn't just arrive in Auckland—they took over. In a pulse-pounding opening round at the ASB Classic, 20-year-old Alex Eala and 18-year-old Iva Jović delivered a masterclass in fearless tennis to eliminate the legendary Venus Williams and veteran Elina Svitolina on Monday, January 5, 2026.

After gritting out a grueling first-set tiebreak at 7–6(7), the young duo caught fire, overwhelming the seasoned champions with blistering pace and relentless court coverage to sweep the second set 6–1.

This statement victory sends Eala and Jović charging into the doubles quarterfinals and signals a massive shift in the 2026 landscape. 

By defeating two of the most decorated names in the sport, the teenage sensations have officially put the tour on notice. 

Their chemistry and composure under pressure suggest this isn't just a flash in the pan but the beginning of a dominant season for the sport's brightest rising stars.

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QUEZON CITY—House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamayang Liberal Partylist Representative Leila De Lima is urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify anti-corruption bills as urgent to kick off the new year. 

De Lima’s proposed legislative package includes the strengthening of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the enactment of a "true" anti-political dynasty law. She also emphasized the critical need for laws targeting illicit enrichment and illegal transfers to better protect the national treasury from being squandered.

The lawmaker maintains that these certifications are a necessary "New Year’s resolution" for the executive branch to prove its commitment to genuine systemic reform rather than superficial gestures.

“Bagong taon na, gawin namang New Year’s Resolution ng Pangulo na i-certify as urgent ang mahahalagang batas laban sa katiwalian.” De Lima stresses

[“Now that the New Year has begun, the President should commit to a resolution of certifying critical anti-corruption legislation as urgent."]

De Lima used an analogy for the New Year, stating that if the President avoids these measures, his administration’s stance on corruption would be like a "substandard firework"—promising a big blast but ultimately failing to deliver. 

“Pag ganyan nang ganyan na iniiwasan ito ng Pangulo, para s’yang substandard na paputok. Nagpasabog pero supot.” The congresswoman added. 

[“With the President constantly dodging the issue, he’s like a cheap firework. He makes a big show of lighting the fuse, but nothing actually happens."]

Meanwhile, Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco called on the public to remain vigilant regarding the ongoing flood control corruption scandal. Tiangco warned that officials involved might be hoping the 2025 National Budget discussions will distract from the controversy and allow corruption issues to fade from the spotlight. 

“Tuwang-tuwa siguro sina Zaldy Co at Rep. Martin Romualdez kasi parang nalilihis na ang isyu at hindi na pinag-uusapan ang korapsyon bunsod ng 2025 national budget.” Representative Tiangco said 

[“Zaldy Co and Rep. Martin Romualdez are likely pleased that the focus is being diverted, moving the conversation away from the corruption allegations tied to the 2025 national budget."]

Both lawmakers are pushing for increased transparency to ensure that questionable insertions in the 2025 national budget do not go unaddressed.

QUEZON CITY—House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice is set to challenge the constitutionality of the remaining Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA) in the 2026 National Budget before the Supreme Court. 

Despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vetoing P92.5 billion of the UA, over P150 billion remains in the budget. Erice argues that these allocations are unconstitutional because they lack a definite source of financing, characterizing the practice as a flawed and legally unstable method of national budgeting.

“I will have to challenge it before the supreme court,” Representative Erice said

The Caloocan representative emphasized the urgency of high court ruling to define whether budgeting for projects without guaranteed funding violates the constitution. 

“Mahalaga din na matuldukan na ito at ma-define na talaga ng korte suprema kung talagang ang ganitong uri ng pagba-budget na walang katapat na source of financing ay labag sa ating konstitusyon.” The Caloocan congressman said.

[“It is also important to put an end to this and for the Supreme Court to finally define whether this type of budgeting—which lacks a corresponding source of financing—is truly a violation of our constitution."]

Congressman Erice confirmed that his legal team is finalizing the petition for immediate filing to permanently address the use of unprogrammed appropriations. 

Even with the President’s partial veto, the lawmaker insists on a judicial intervention to stop the government from placing vital public services in a financial chaos.