Jasha Gamao

Filipino families and businesses may soon get relief from skyrocketing electricity bills as the Senate Committee on Energy gathered government agencies, industry leaders, and consumer advocacy groups to address unfair power fees on August 13. 

The panel focused on fixing gaps in outdated energy rules and reducing system loss charges to make power prices fairer across the country.

The committee wants to lower monthly bills while keeping the energy sector stable and running. 

System loss charges refer to electricity lost during transmission, through technical failures, or via power theft. 

Current policies allow companies to pass these extra costs directly to everyday consumers, causing monthly electric bills to jump significantly.

Presiding over the hearing, Sen. Erwin Tulfo pushed hard for quick policy reforms to safeguard consumers from high rates. 

He noted that members of the Senate share the belief that electricity “has become too heavy a burden for many Filipino families and businesses.” 

His statement highlighted the urgent need to update industry regulations that currently leave customers paying for wasted power.

While Tulfo recognized the technical limits of electricity delivery, he insisted that the financial weight must shift away from the public. 

“It is not that easy to do away with system loss… We understand that some degree of system loss are inherent to the delivery of electricity… But the fact that the loss occurs does not automatically mean the consumers should pay it,” Tulfo said. 

The committee will continue working on new legislation to shield households from unreasonable charges.

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PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate officially received the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 on August 12. Senate President Win Gatchalian and Acting Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon led the turnover ceremony at the Senate. 

Top Senate leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Finance Committee Chair JV Ejercito, attended the event to mark the start of the budget review.

This record budget is six percent higher than the previous year's funds and makes up nearly 22 percent of the country's total economic output. 

Government officials plan to direct most of the money into key public programs. 

The top focus areas include better public schools, stronger healthcare, food security, direct help for poor families, and new infrastructure projects to boost the economy.

Senate leaders promised to check every detail of the proposed spending plan to avoid waste. Public hearings will officially begin on August 27 at the Philippine International Convention Center. 

Lawmakers aim to finish their review on time so the government can fund its major projects without delay.

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PASAY CITY—Senators strongly defended their power to change the national budget during their session on August 12. The lawmakers reacted to claims by former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan that senators received individual infrastructure allocations. 

Upper chamber members insisted that adding funds to agency projects is legal, transparent, and built directly into their constitutional duties.

Senate President Win Gatchalian stated that these budget changes reflect real needs from local governments and public offices. 

He emphasized that lawmakers work openly by posting support documents, agency requests, and complete lists online for everyone to see. 

SP Gatchalian said that "it is part of their job to ensure these needs are addressed transparently" and noted that the Senate will keep uploading all amendments to its website for public viewing.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri clarified that he never handled any project lists during his time as Senate President. However, he stressed that funding key local infrastructure projects is clean and lawful when done without personal gain. 

Zubiri said, “That is part of our responsibility as legislators: to help bring much-needed development to communities that have long been left behind.”

Meanwhile, Senator Pia Cayetano thanked Zubiri for speaking out and defended the Senate's authority to support urgent local projects. She stressed that lawmakers strictly follow the law while helping communities get essential government funding. 

Cayetano said, “We have zero tolerance for evil and corruption. We are just doing our jobs.”

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MANILA—OP Bagong Pilipinas made a bold opening statement in the UNTV Cup Season 12 Quarterfinals on August 12, fending off the Judiciary Magis in a hard-fought 77-69 battle at the Paco Arena. 

Shaking off a depleted lineup, OP Bagong Pilipinas executed a disciplined game plan down the stretch to clinch their crucial first win of the quarterfinal round.

Player of the Game Jaypee Sarcia set the tone on both ends of the floor, dropping 16 points and pulling down 5 rebounds to anchor his squad’s offense. 

Connecting seamlessly with teammate Enteng Dalaten, Sarcia spearheaded high-efficiency plays in critical moments, keeping the relentless Magis defense at bay and guaranteeing the victory.

The squad’s disciplined execution paid off despite playing short-handed against a formidable Judiciary lineup. 

Reflecting on the win, Sarcia highlighted their preparation and chemistry: "Sa training namin at saka sa magandang game plan ng coaches. Syempre sa tiwala din namin sa isa’t isa bilang magkaka-kampi kaya siguro na-survive namin kahit kulang kami."

With the hard-earned win, OP Bagong Pilipinas builds crucial momentum as the quarterfinal phase heats up. 

Their ability to deliver under pressure establishes them as a dangerous contender early in the postseason push.

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MANILA—The AFP Cavaliers made a resounding statement in the opening game of the UNTV Cup Season 12 Quarterfinals, charging past the COMELEC Vanguards with an 85-78 victory on August 12 at the Paco Arena.

Seeking redemption after a previous defeat to COMELEC, the Cavaliers brought intense defensive pressure and high-octane energy straight out of the gate to secure their crucial first win in the quarterfinal round.

Darwin Cordero spearheaded the attack for AFP, putting up a stellar, stat-sheet-stuffing performance to earn Best Player of the Game honors. 

Cordero dominated the hardwood with a game-high 22 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and pocketed 3 steals, serving as the relentless catalyst for the Cavaliers’ offense and defense throughout the grueling clash.

Motivated by their previous setback against the Vanguards, Cordero rallied his squad to fight with pride and match COMELEC’s physical play. 

"Bago kami mag-start maglaro, sinabi ko lang sa boys na i-control namin yung boards at saka sinabi ko lang kung sino ang willing manalo dito sa game, siya yung makakakuha ng panalo. So, kumbaga ginamit namin yung puso namin na as pride na rin na di kami magpatalo dahil coming from a loss sa kanila, chinallenge namin yung sarili namin. Binalik lang namin kung ano yung ginawa nilang depensa sa amin, binabalik din namin sa kanila," Cordero shared post-game.

By controlling the glass and matching COMELEC’s toughness, the Cavaliers successfully turned the tables to return the favor. 

This hard-earned victory gives AFP vital momentum as they look to build a dominant winning streak and push deeper into the UNTV Cup Season 12 playoff race.

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