Jasha Gamao

MANILA — The COMELEC Vanguards cruised to a convincing 96-82 victory over the Senate Defenders in their UNTV Cup clash last May 10 at the Paco Arena. 

The Vanguards’ cohesive play and defensive intensity ultimately overwhelmed the Defenders, securing a crucial win in the league.

Kenny Isik stood tall for COMELEC, delivering a Best Player of the Game performance. 

Isik registered a well-rounded stat line of 19 points, alongside 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 3 steals, demonstrating his versatility and impact on both ends of the floor. 

His contributions were pivotal in sealing the triumph for the Vanguards.

“Yun yung instructions po sa amin ng mga coach, sa simula pa lang kailangan na talaga namin ma-dominate yung laro namin, makontrol namin yung laro para pagdating ng 4th quarter sa amin na yung control.”, Isik shared in a post-game interview with Ms. Rheena Villamor-Camara.

"Those were the instructions from our coaches: from the very start, we really needed to dominate and control the game so that by the time we reached the 4th quarter, we’d have full control.", Isik shared in a post-game interview with Ms. Rheena Villamor-Camara.

This was the second win for the Vanguards and the team were hopeful that this is the start of their winning streak this season.

QUEZON CITY—The House of Representatives delivered a decisive blow to the Vice Presidency on May 11, voting 255-26-9 to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte for the second time. 

Surpassing the constitutional one-third threshold with ease, the chamber moved with aggressive speed to formalize the charges. 

Lawmakers supporting the move cited a breakdown in public trust, while the overwhelming margin signaled a solidified front against the Vice President within the legislative branch.

The impeachment complaint will now be transmitted to the upper house for a high-stakes trial. 

Under the leadership of newly elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, the Senate is preparing to receive the articles of impeachment and convene as an impeachment court forthwith according to the Constitution.

This transition marks a critical juncture in the nation’s political landscape, as the Senate will now hold the final authority over VP Duterte’s removal from office.

PASAY CITY—Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV stunned the Senate media on May 11, by brandishing a copy of an alleged International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant targeting Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa. 

The revelation coincided with Dela Rosa’s sudden appearance at the plenary, marking his first time on the Senate floor since vanishing from public view in November 2025. 

Trillanes claimed the document confirms the Hague-based court’s move to take custody of the former police chief, ending months of speculation regarding the Senator’s prolonged absence and legal standing.

The tension escalated further as the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) presented CCTV footage to the plenary, documenting a potential security breach within the chamber. 

The video shows individuals identified as alleged National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents tailing Dela Rosa through the Senate corridors immediately upon his return. 

Senate leadership is now grappling with the dual crisis of an international legal pursuit and the presence of law enforcement agents operating inside the premises, sparking an immediate debate over parliamentary immunity and the sanctity of the institution.

PASAY CITY—The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations opened a critical review on May 11 to dissect newly-ratified defense and legal agreements aimed at bolstering national security and regional cooperation. 

Led by the panel, lawmakers scrutinized the Status of Visiting Forces Agreements (SOVFAs) with Canada and New Zealand, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ratified earlier this year. 

Defense officials including Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr emphasized that these pacts are vital for securing maritime trade routes and enhancing disaster response, while senators focused on ensuring strict reciprocity and accountability to protect Philippine interests.  

Beyond defense, the committee tackled the ASEAN Treaty on Extradition, a landmark multilateral agreement ratified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last April.

PASAY CITY—The Senate of the Philippines once again witnessed a dramatic change of events as Senator Alan Peter Cayetano ascended to the Senate Presidency this Monday, May 11, after a decisive 13-9 vote unseated veteran lawmaker Vicente Sotto III. 

The leadership shakeup, supported by a coalition of high-profile allies including Senators Imee Marcos and Robinhood Padilla, effectively shifts the chamber's power dynamic. 

Despite two abstentions from Senators JV Ejercito and Juan Miguel Zubiri, the majority successfully installed Cayetano to lead the upper house, signaling an immediate pivot in the legislative agenda.

The vote was marked by the controversial participation of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who cast his support for Cayetano despite a six-month absence from Senate sessions. 

While Sotto’s bloc—bolstered by stalwarts like Panfilo Lacson and Risa Hontiveros—mounted a firm "No" vote, they were ultimately unable to overcome the 13-member majority. 

The new Senate President urged his colleagues in his acceptance speech, to unite for the Filipino people 

“We want to be free from poverty. We want to be free from corruption. We want to be free from a government that is busy fighting its own people or the people fighting each other. Hindi ito social media na bawat minuto ay nagbabangayan. In real life, we have to be here with each other,” the Senate President said.

This swift transition marks the end of Sotto’s tenure and consolidates Cayetano’s influence over the Senate floor as the new session gains momentum.

Here’s the exact tally of votes in the Senate change of leadership:

‍

YES VOTES

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano

Senator Pia Cayetano

Senator Rodante Marcoleta

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go

Senator Robinhood Padilla

Senator Loren Legarda

Senator Imee Marcos

Senator Camille Villar

Senator Mark Villar

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa

Senator Joel Villanueva

Senator Jinggoy Estrada

Senator Francis Escudero

‍

ABSTAIN

Senator JV Ejercito

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri

‍

NO VOTES

Senator Vicente Sotto III

Senator Panfilo Lacson

Senator Francis Pangilinan

Senator Risa Hontiveros

Senator Bam Aquino

Senator Lito Lapid

Senator Raffy Tulfo

Senator Erwin Tulfo

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian