Jasha Gamao

The Philippines is poised for a major campaign as the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand are set to commence in just seven days. With the opening ceremony scheduled for December 9 at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, the Philippine contingent is arriving fired up and prepared to chase regional glory. 

This year's edition of the SEA Games, hosted across Bangkok and Chonburi until December 20, features a demanding schedule of 50 medal sports and four demonstration sports, providing numerous opportunities for Team Philippines to make its mark on the regional stage.

In a powerful display of growing athletic commitment, the Philippines is sending its largest delegation in SEA Games history. This significant increase in representation underscores the nation's unified effort and burgeoning strength across various disciplines. Athletes are currently making their final preparations, aiming to maximize their performance and improve upon past medal tallies. 

The sheer size of the contingent is a clear statement of intent, signaling a determined push for a strong overall finish in the biennial competition.

Filipino sports fans are urged to amplify their support as the national athletes step into the competitive spotlight. Whether cheering from the venues in Thailand or watching from home, the nation's encouragement is a vital factor for the team. 

The anticipation is building for the emotional opening ceremony, which officially launches the Philippines' quest for greatness. The next two weeks will be a crucial test of skill, unity, and heart as "Pinoy Pride" takes center stage at the SEA Games 2025.

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PASAY CITY—A fire broke out at the Senate building early Sunday morning, November 30, igniting on the third floor in the office of the Legislative Technical Affairs Bureau. Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III confirmed that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) received the report at 6:30 AM and immediately dispatched firefighting teams. 

The incident was declared under control just over an hour later, at 7:43 AM. Authorities are now focused on determining the fire's cause and accurately assessing the full scope of the resulting damage to the structural integrity and contents of the affected area.

Senate President Sotto assured the public that all vital documents remain untouched and secure. "Rest assured that all pertinent Senate documents—including those of the Blue Ribbon Committee—remain intact, safe, and completely unaffected by the fire," Sotto stated. 

While the fire itself was localized, Senate President reported that the water used by the BFP in their suppression efforts led to significant leakage into the Session Hall directly below the affected third-floor office.

Senator Sotto ensured that the Senate’s maintenance team has initiated round-the-clock restoration work to dry and repair the Session Hall. The primary objective is to ensure the chamber is fully functional and ready to host the scheduled Monday session without delay. 

The Senate is also collaborating closely with the BFP and internal security personnel to guarantee the continued safety of the premises and to implement measures that will prevent any recurrence of similar incidents.

Despite the current disruption to the Session Hall, the Senate affirms its commitment to its legislative duties, backed by the safety of its essential records. Full details on the fire's origin and the cost of the damage are expected to be released as the investigation concludes.

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The inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup campaign for the Filipina5 has concluded, but far from a mere exit, their performance has been hailed as the powerful start of a new national sporting legacy. Competing on home turf against the world's futsal elite, the team secured their place in history with a landmark goal against one of the most formidable international opponents. 

This single moment, emblematic of the team's emerging potential, showcased that a Filipina athlete can indeed shine on the global futsal stage and has set an electrifying new standard for the sport in the Philippines.

The team’s journey has been framed as a crucial spark for the sport's development, receiving strong backing from national sports leaders. 

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Pato Gregorio emphasized the importance of sustained engagement, stating, "We want to develop futsal because we believe that a Filipina can excel in making the country shine. Don’t stop playing – the key is continuity to convince millions of Filipinos to play and love the sport.” 

Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez echoed this sentiment, encouraging the squad that this World Cup appearance is just the beginning.

Competing fearlessly against international powerhouse teams provided the Filipina5 with invaluable experience and a major boost in confidence. Their performance served as a powerful testament to the untapped talent within the nation, signaling a significant elevation of the Philippines' presence in the global futsal arena.

With this newfound confidence and experience under their belts, the Filipina5 are already shifting their focus to the future. 

Their next major target is a long-awaited return to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, scheduled for Thailand in 2025. This return will mark their first appearance at the regional multi-sport event in 14 years, underscoring the team's commitment to building on the momentum generated by their historic World Cup debut and cementing the new era of Philippine women's futsal.

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PARAÑAQUE CITY—Team Philippines is intensifying its preparations for major international competitions, highlighted by a comprehensive Anti-Doping Education Session held on November 25 at the Solaire Resort. 

Organized by the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO), the crucial seminar was designed to equip Filipino athletes, coaches, and support staff for the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand and the 13th Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai. 

This massive educational effort underscores the nation's commitment to ensuring all victories are achieved with utmost integrity and fairness.

The event, which saw participation from approximately 700 individuals both onsite and virtually, focused heavily on the core principles of "Clean Sport." Participants received essential guidance from experts across various fields, including sports medicine, nutrition, mental resilience, and conditioning. 

Crucially, PHI-NADO delivered detailed lectures on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, outlining athlete responsibilities and providing in-depth knowledge about prohibited substances. This proactive approach aims to prevent accidental violations and foster a culture of vigilance within the national team.

The program was galvanized by a powerful opening message from PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio, who set the tone for the campaign. 

"Dapat ang panalo ay malinis, mahusay, at galing sa puso ng bawat atletang Pilipino", Gregorio asserted. 

His statement served as a strong reminder that true success transcends mere medal counts; it is fundamentally rooted in integrity and ethical competition. The emphasis on winning cleanly resonates with the global movement for fair play.

The session culminated in an inspiring panel discussion on “Clean Sport and Personal Journeys,” featuring two respected Filipino athletes. Rodolfo Reyes Jr. (Taekwondo) and Dr. Kat Hernandez (Para Powerlifting) shared their experiences, illustrating how a commitment to staying drug-free directly contributed to their personal and athletic achievements. 

Their stories provided a tangible example of the maxim "Play True. Play Clean. Play Fair!" Team Philippines is now poised to compete, not only with skill and heart, but also with an unwavering dedication to the standards of clean competition.

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PASAY CITY—Senator JV Ejercito has brought to light a shocking corruption scandal within the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), alleging that certain personnel are pocketing a staggering 70% of the tax collection generated through the use of the agency's Letter of Authority (LOA). 

The LOA, a document used to authorize revenue officers to examine a taxpayer's books of account, is reportedly being "weaponized" by corrupt individuals for their own gain. 

The senator revealed he has received numerous complaints that the process has been systematically abused, transforming the mandatory tax audit procedure into a tool for extortion by rogue officials.

“Marami na tayong complaints, mga nakakausap nating local businessmen. Pero nabahala ako when the European ambassadors and some ambassadors of different countries, and the American and European chambers started to complain na pati sila had been subject to harassment by BIR through the LOA. So, they’re weaponizing the LOA for corruption.” The senator said in a press conference.

He warned that this corruption is creating a hostile investment climate, which sends a poor signal to both local and foreign investors. 

According to Ejercito, the corrupt practice has been particularly rampant from 2022 up to 2025, with the scheme allegedly involving personnel up to the regional director level. 

A common tactic cited in the complaints involves reopening past fiscal years' records that were already cleared, putting businesses under perpetual duress.

“As early as two years ago madami nang umaangal na kahit mga nakaraan na nilang fiscal years doon sa kanilang negosyo na cleared na, through LOA binunuksan ulit.”

Senator Ejercito, furthermore, has urgently called for comprehensive reform within the BIR and the establishment of clear, unambiguous policies to prevent the LOA from being abused. Immediate action has already been taken by BIR Commissioner Charlito Mendoza, who has ordered the suspension of the issuance of all new Letters of Authority and Mission Orders, as well as a halt to all existing field audits and operations, pending a thorough review.

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