Jasha Gamao

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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The Senate of the Philippines intensified its scrutiny of the ₱6.792-trillion proposed 2026 national budget on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, with senators zeroing in on transparency and accountability in government spending. 

The third day of plenary debates on House Bill No. 4058, the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), saw lawmakers challenging the appropriations of several key agencies, determined to ensure public funds are utilized effectively for national development.

Discussions were sharp and focused, revolving around critical concerns such as the proper planning and monitoring of infrastructure projects, enhancing the nation's climate adaptation and disaster response capabilities, and preventing the misuse of funds. 

The upper chamber's firm stance reflects a commitment to rebuild public trust by demanding meticulous detail and justification for every centavo allocated in the massive spending plan. Senators emphasized that the budget is a reflection of national aspirations and must be guarded against waste and corruption.

The plenary successfully concluded interpellations on the budgets of eight major government agencies. These included the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), Department of Finance (DOF), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the core agencies responsible for the government's fiscal policy.

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