Jasha Gamao

PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Basic Education convened a crucial hearing on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, to confront the persistent and alarming rate of stunting among Filipino schoolchildren. The panel met with key officials from government agencies and representatives of education stakeholders to discuss proposed legislative measures aimed at overhauling the national feeding program. 

Senator Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino, Chairman of the Committee on Education stated in his opening statement that the rate of the country’s stunted children is very alarming.

“Ayon po sa EDCOM, 26.7% of Filipino children under 5 years old are stunted. Over 1/4 ng mga kabataan po ay stunted.”

The central focus of the deliberation was not only to ensure the proper growth and development of children but also to implement a strategy that simultaneously supports local agriculture and boosts farmer income.

A significant challenge highlighted during the meeting was the lack of a unified structure in the current feeding program's rollout. Stakeholders and senators agreed that without a single, cohesive framework, the effectiveness of national nutritional interventions remains fragmented and difficult to monitor. 

The committee underscored the imperative need to establish a unified strategy to guide all aspects of the program, from procurement and preparation to distribution and evaluation, ensuring that resources are deployed efficiently to the areas with the highest need.

Further hearings are expected to refine the bills, with the goal of creating a national feeding program that is robust, well-funded, and structurally unified to deliver tangible, sustainable results in addressing malnutrition in the Philippines.

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Pasig City received a significant upgrade today, marking a crucial step in its youth development program. The city was officially handed 50 pieces of new sports equipment—specifically 25 futsal balls and 25 lightweight volleyballs—designed for use by young and grassroots athletes. 

This injection of resources is set to give Pasig an even stronger foundation in two of the country's most popular sports.

The equipment was formally presented to Mayor Vico Sotto and Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski by key national sports figures: Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Pató Gregorio and Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez. 

The handover took place at a particularly pivotal time for the city, which is currently serving as a proud host of the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup at the iconic PhilSports Arena.

This major boost underscores Pasig's growing reputation as a powerhouse in Philippine sports. The local government’s commitment to athletic development has already yielded impressive results, including the recent accomplishment of clinching back-to-back championships at the prestigious Batang Pinoy national games. 

The new balls will immediately fuel the momentum of the city's successful programs.

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PASAY CITY—Karl Eldrew Yulo secured a bronze medal in the Floor Exercise Finals of the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships yesterday at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. 

Facing a tough international field, the young Filipino gymnast delivered a heart-stopping and powerful routine that stunned the home crowd and firmly established him as a rising star on the global stage. 

This spectacular finish marks a significant moment for Philippine gymnastics, following in the footsteps of his elder brother, Carlos Yulo.

Yulo executed a brilliant and near-flawless performance on the floor apparatus, displaying exceptional tumbling and masterful control under pressure. His routine earned him a total score of 13.733 points, a tally that cemented his spot on the podium. 

The result sparked an outpouring of national pride, with the crowd's energy reflecting the country's excitement over the major achievement. Yulo's medal performance is a strong indicator of his potential in future senior competitions and sets an inspiring precedent for aspiring Filipino athletes. 

Mabuhay ka, Karl Eldrew Yulo! Thank you for carrying the nation's hopes to the podium.

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The World Surf League (WSL) has officially announced a landmark event, selecting La Union, Philippines, as the host for the first-ever Longboard International Qualifying Event in January 2026. 

This high-stakes competition is poised to attract an unprecedented global field of top longboard talent, offering a direct and expanded pathway onto the coveted 2026 WSL Longboard Tour. 

The new format is specifically designed to broaden the geographical reach of the tour, awarding wildcard spots to both the winner and runner-up, giving surfers who missed regional qualification a crucial second chance.

WSL Longboard Tour Director Will Hayden-Smith championed the new format, stating:

"This new format is about creating more access and opportunities to longboarders from all WSL regions." 

He emphasized the motivation behind the expansion:

"We know there are incredible longboarders in every corner of the world who deserve the chance to compete on the biggest stage. This event in La Union gives them that shot." 

Hayden-Smith also praised the location, noting that La Union is "a town with such a strong connection to longboarding and a perfect wave for competition," making it the ideal spot for the launch of this qualifier.

Patrick C. Gregorio, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, expressed immense excitement for the global sporting event.

“In January 2026, it will be a real thrill to host an exciting new event format under the WSL,” he said. 

Chairman Gregorio highlighted the opportunity for local athletes, asserting:

“With four direct tickets to the WSL Longboard Tour at stake, our Filipino surfing athletes will surely be preparing to show off world-class skill and homegrown heart on home waters.” 

He concluded by stressing the importance of the partnership, noting the nation is "excited to deepen our partnership with WSL as the Philippines continues to grow its presence on the global surfing map.”

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The Senate of the Philippines resumed its plenary debates on the 6.793-trillion-peso 2026 national budget (House Bill No. 4058) on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Senators on Day 4 zeroed in on the allocations for key agencies vital to delivering swift justice and genuine service to Filipinos. 

The focused departments included the Judiciary Department, the Congress of the Philippines, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, and the Department of Migrant Workers.

The proposed 67.77-billion peso budget for the Judiciary drew immediate scrutiny. Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, sponsoring the allocation, emphasized the urgent need for modernization, particularly to address crippling case backlogs and slow case disposition.

Anti-corruption efforts within the justice system also surfaced prominently. Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson pushed for the inclusion of 250 million pesos to operationalize the newly reorganized Judicial Integrity Office (JIO). 

“I’m sure there is a budgetary requirement so it can be fully organized and to make it fully operationalized.” the senator said.

Senator Lacson argued the relatively small amount was a crucial investment against the "hundreds of billions" lost to corruption, stressing that the JIO would strengthen accountability among judges and court personnel.

“Judicial Integrity Office this will be primarily tasked to promote integrity and to address the issues of corruption within the Judiciary,” the Senate Pro Tempore added.

Meanwhile, the spending plan for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) faced review, highlighting the government’s commitment to its overseas workers. 

The Senate intends to allocate public funds directly toward critical services and protection for one of the nation’s most important sectors.

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