Jasha Gamao

PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate officially recognized the nation’s athletic heroes on Monday, December 22, 2025, honoring the historic performance of the national delegation at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand.                    

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III spearheaded the commendation, praising the athletes' grit and dedication on the international stage. 

Despite the fierce competition, the Philippine contingent proved their mettle by securing a massive 277-medal tally, cementing their status as a regional powerhouse and bringing immense pride to the country.

Fielding its largest-ever delegation, the Philippines powered through the yearly meet to finish sixth overall in the final standings. The athletes showcased elite versatility, capturing 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals across various disciplines. 

This homecoming celebration at the upper chamber underscores the government's commitment to supporting Filipino sporting excellence as the nation looks ahead to future international podiums.

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Filipina tennis prodigy, Alexandra Eala dominated the court today, December 18 capturing a historic gold medal in the 2025 SEA Games women’s singles final. 

The Filipina tennis sensation dismantled Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew in a clinical 6-1, 6-2 performance, showcasing superior power and precision from the opening serve. 

Eala’s aggressive baseline play left her opponent with no answers, securing the top spot on the podium and cementing her status as the region's premier talent.

This victory marks a monumental milestone for Philippine sports, officially ending a 26-year gold medal drought in the women’s tennis singles event. 

By reclaiming the throne for the first time, Eala has solidified her legacy and ignited a new era for Philippine tennis. 

The "Golden Girl" now stands alone at the summit, bringing home the elusive prize that has evaded the nation for over two decades.

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The Philippines’ national women’s football team, the Filipinas, shattered the glass ceiling in Bangkok on December 17, 2025, seizing the country's first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold medal in football history. 

In an epic showdown against four-time defending champions Vietnam, the Filipinas displayed relentless defensive grit through 120 minutes of grueling action. 

The historic victory was sealed in a high-stakes penalty shootout, where the Filipinas maintained absolute composure to dethrone the regional giants and claim their place at the top of the podium.

This monumental win marks a definitive turning point for Philippine sports, ending Vietnam’s decade-long dominance in the tournament. By overcoming the "4-peat" champions under immense pressure, the Filipinas have transformed the landscape of Southeast Asian football. 

This gold medal not only secures their legacy as national icons but also signals the official arrival of the Philippines as a powerhouse in the region.

EJ Obiena continued his undisputed reign over Southeast Asian athletics, clinching his fourth consecutive gold medal in the Men’s Pole Vault at the 33rd SEA Games on December 16, 2025. 

The world-class Olympian displayed clinical precision in Thailand, clearing the heights with ease to secure the top spot on the podium. His victory further cements his status as the region's premier vaulter and a cornerstone of Philippine sports excellence.

The celebration was doubled for the Philippines as rising talent Elijah Cole joined Obiena on the podium, capturing the bronze medal. Cole’s gritty performance ensured a multi-medal haul for the Filipino contingent, proving the nation’s deep talent pool in the event. 

Together, the duo’s dominant display underscored the Philippines' supremacy in the discipline, bringing home two out of the three medals at SEA Games.

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PASAY CITY—The Senate has moved decisively to combat the escalating threat of disinformation, with the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media holding a pivotal public hearing on Monday, December 15, 2025. 

The session zeroed in on several proposed measures aiming to safeguard the Filipino public from fake news, coordinated online trolling, and shady social media algorithms. 

The legislative efforts include Senate Bill Nos. 191 and 1441, both spearheaded by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, which seek to penalize the deliberate creation and spread of malicious false information and enforce algorithmic transparency on major social media platforms. 

Simultaneously, Senator Robinhood Padilla's Senate Bill No. 1490 directly targets the financial and operational structures of "troll farms," seeking to criminalize their very existence.

Senators actively engaged with resource persons, gathering critical input on the three proposals that are set to redefine the legal landscape for online information in the Philippines. This legislative push underscores a strong commitment to strengthening the integrity of public discourse and protecting citizens from intentional manipulation. 

The proposed bills on the upper chamber carry severe penalties, including potential fines up to P10 million for organizations running troll farms and imprisonment for individuals who operate or finance them, marking a serious escalation in the fight against online deception. 

The Senate’s ultimate goal is to shape a comprehensive framework that institutionalizes fact-checking and holds online entities accountable for the information spread on their platforms.