Jasha Gamao

MANILA—The COMELEC Suffragettes pulled off a monumental upset in the UNTV Volleyball League Season 4 preliminary round on May 20, at the Paco Arena, dismantling the undefeated run of the PhilHealth Health Insurers in a thrilling four-set match, 25-23, 25-16, 18-25, 25-23. 

COMELEC achieved the seemingly impossible by becoming the only team to stain the Health Insurers’ clean-slate record before the tournament transitions into the critical quarterfinals. 

This shocking defeat heavily disrupted the leaderboard, dragging the league leaders down to the number two spot in the team standings.

Danika Gendrauli spearheaded the historic upset, delivering a masterclass performance to earn the Best Player of the Game honors. 

Gendrauli single-handedly pick-pocketed the PhilHealth defense by assailing every weak spot on the floor, exploding for a spectacular 25-point outing built on 18 ferocious attacks, 6 service aces, and a block. 

Her offensive brilliance and relentless pressure on the service line ensured that COMELEC kept their composure even after dropping the third set, ultimately shutting the door on PhilHealth’s comeback attempt in the fourth.

Despite orchestrating the biggest storyline of the preliminary round, Gendrauli emphasized that the Suffragettes are far from satisfied and will focus heavily on their consistency moving forward. 

"Mag-eensayo pa kami ng maigi tapos yung service/receive namin dun naman talaga kasi nananalo, tsaka yung tibay namin sa loob ng court," Gendrauli stated post-game interview.

With momentum completely on their side and a reputation as certified giant slayers, COMELEC heads into the quarterfinals armed with the grit and tactical sharpshooting necessary to threaten the rest of the UVL field.

MANILA—The PNP Lady Patrollers closed out the UNTV Volleyball League (UVL) Season 4 preliminary round with a sensational victory, outlasting the gritty NHA Home Masters in a grueling five-set marathon, 23-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-13, 15-12, on May 20 at the Paco Arena. 

Refusing to back down in the final game of the preliminaries, the Lady Patrollers showed immense poise under pressure, shifting into high gear during the fourth set and maintaining their momentum in the decider to lock down the hard-earned win.

Yam Porio put on a masterful performance to carry the offensive load and capture the Best Player of the Game award. 

The standout opposite hitter weaponized her attack, exploding for 23 total points anchored on 16 thunderous spikes, 4 solid blocks, and 3 service aces. 

Porio’s enthusiasm and unwavering confidence on the court served as the ultimate catalyst, keeping PNP's spirits high even after dropping the first and third sets to a stubborn NHA defense.

With this high-octane victory, the Lady Patrollers build a massive wave of momentum as they officially march into the quarterfinals. 

Reflecting on the team's relentless drive, Porio credited their coaching staff for keeping them grounded and motivated. 

“Sinabi kasi ng mga coach namin, nandito kami to play with pride and purpose,” Porio shared, underscoring the mindset that now primes the PNP Lady Patrollers for a deep postseason run.

MANILA—Palace Press Officer Claire Castro led a high-level briefing on May 19, alongside top security officials to deliver crucial updates on last week's alarming Senate gunfire incident. 

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla firmly dispelled rumors of a targeted strike, declaring that "the only conclusion is there was no attack to the Senate." 

Remulla clarified that the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) intentionally tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to secure the interior premises, ensuring a tight layer of defense while the Philippine National Police (PNP) actively guarded the building's exterior.

“PNP was already guarding the front of the building. In this case, [GSIS] thought it would be more prudent that NBI to secure the area... There’s no distinction there. We’re both law enforcement officials. But the PNP was outside the building already," SILG Remulla said. 

The investigation now shifts into high gear as the PNP prepares to officially hand over its comprehensive incident report to the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida confirmed the report will go directly to a specialized panel for rigorous evaluation, emphasizing that investigators are meticulously examining the sequence of events. 

"Similar route, it will go to the panel, and it will all be evaluated. Compelling ang facts and we still have to verify and validate. We will check on the timelines. We will check on the source of the video. Kasi ang dulo, katotohanan lang," Secretary Vida stated, stressing that the DOJ will scrutinize timelines and trace the exact origin of the video footage leaked online.

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and fellow cabinet members reassured the public that inter-agency coordination between the police and the NBI remains seamless despite the initial confusion over jurisdictional roles. 

Secretary Vida reiterated that the administration’s absolute priority is an airtight, factual resolution to the scare that disrupted the legislative body.

QUEZON CITY—House of Representatives Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio filed a formal complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on May 19, demanding an investigation into PHP4.4 billion worth of allegedly irregular flood control projects. 

The ACT Teachers Party-list representative targeted infrastructure contracts awarded in Davao City’s First District between 2019 and 2022. 

Representative Tinio aims to hold officials accountable for what he describes as highly questionable allocations during the previous administration.

Meanwhile, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte fired back immediately, dismissing the complaint as a politically motivated attack meant to demonize his family. 

Duterte questioned why Tinio is selectively focusing on Davao while ignoring larger nationwide flood control issues and ongoing massive corruption controversies hounding the current administration. 

“It is deeply ironic that Antonio Tinio now wants to parade himself as a crusader against corruption and flooding issues in Davao City, when the entire country is currently witnessing what many are calling the biggest corruption controversy in Philippine history unfolding under the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his son Sandro Marcos, and cousin Martin Romualdez.” Congressman Duterte said on his social media account. 

Defending his district, Representative Paolo Duterte pointed out that the Department of Public Works and Highways has recorded nearly PHP50 billion worth of completed, above-standard infrastructure in Davao City from 2020 to 2022, despite the city receiving zero budget for the past four years.

“For the record, the Department of Public Works and Highways Region XI itself maintains records of completed and above-standard infrastructure projects in Davao City from 2020 to 2022 amounting to approximately P49.84 billion.” The Davao Representative highlighted.

“These include roads, drainage systems, bridges, and other public works that Dabawenyos continue to benefit from today. And for the information of the public, Davao City has been zero budget for 4 years now.” He continued.

Duterte further slammed Tinio for abandoning his party-list's mandate to fight for educators and classrooms, labeling him a full-time anti-Duterte political operator. 

“Perhaps this is what happens when a party-list representative forgets his mandate. ACT Teachers was supposed to fight for educators, classrooms, salaries, and the future of Filipino students.” Duterte pointed out. 

He emphasized that resolving the country's flooding crisis requires serious long-term engineering and inter-agency cooperation rather than grandstanding for the cameras. 

“Flooding is a national problem requiring serious engineering, long-term planning, and cooperation among agencies — not grandstanding before cameras and carrying stacks of folders to create headlines. Filipinos are intelligent enough to distinguish genuine public service from political theater.” Congressman Pulong Duterte concluded on his post.

Malacañang Palace left the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte entirely to the Senate, emphasizing that public officials facing allegations must ultimately face accountability. 

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the Executive branch respects the constitutional principle of separation of powers and will not meddle in the legislative process.

“Alam naman po natin ang impeachment trial ay trabaho po ito at mandato po ito ng Senado. Hindi po kailangan na makialam ang Pangulo sa sinabing mandato ng Senado dahil mayroon po tayong separation of powers” Palace Officer Castro said on May 18.

Castro clarified that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has no intention of interfering with the Senate’s explicit mandate to conduct the proceedings. 

She reiterated that the trial falls strictly under the jurisdiction of the lawmakers, ensuring that the co-equal branches of government maintain their independence throughout the high-profile case.

While maintaining a hands-off approach, the Palace reminded both legislators and the public of the core principle at stake: justice. 

“Ang dapat lang po sigurong lagi nating tandaan hindi lamang ang Senado, hindi lang sa Senado at senador kung hindi tayo mismong mga Pilipino – ang dapat na managot ayon nga sa Pangulo ay dapat na managot.” Undersecretary Castro said.