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PASAY CITY—Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian welcomed a Pakistani parliamentary delegation to the Senate Ceremonial Hall in Manila on August 3 to boost ties between the two nations.
Misbah Khar, Advisor to the Chairman of the Pakistan Senate, led the visiting group alongside Pakistani Ambassador Asima Rabbani.
The delegation was in town for the UNITE Parliamentarians Network Global Health Summit.
During the meeting, Khar extended an invitation for Filipino lawmakers to visit Pakistan and highlighted the newly created Inter-Parliamentary Speaker’s Conference aimed at building peace and cooperation across regions.
In response, Gatchalian agreed to revitalize direct exchanges between the two parliaments and tasked Senator Robin Padilla to lead a dedicated friendship association with Pakistani lawmakers.
Senator Pia Cayetano focused on expanding cooperation through sports diplomacy, while Padilla noted that direct ties between citizens are essential for strong relations.
Gatchalian also praised Pakistan’s active role as a mediator during current security tensions in the Middle East.
Economic collaboration took center stage as Ambassador Rabbani pointed to progress from the Joint Economic Commission held earlier this year.
Both sides agreed that similar income levels and growth goals make partnership easy in areas like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Moving forward, lawmakers from both countries plan to explore shared opportunities in education, tourism, vaccine research, and sending health workers, especially nurses, to areas of need.
PASAY CITY—House private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan ended her direct examination on the twelfth day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on August 4 by sharply dismissing the presented prima facie evidence in an ongoing trial.
Her strong declaration came during a tense exchange over the alleged misuse of public funds, drawing an immediate objection from the defense.
The argument built up as Kapunan questioned COA auditor Roderick Wamil regarding the administrative and penal sanctions of a joint circular.
She argued that failing to follow liquidation rules creates a strong legal presumption that funds were taken for personal gain.
Kapunan then ended her questioning with a direct attack on the evidence presented. "Your Honor, please, ang tawag ko lang du'n hindi prima facie evidence, kung ako ang tatanungin. Scam ito!" she said during the end of her direct examination.
Defense attorney Michael Poa immediately moved to remove the remark, stating, "Move to strike, Your Honor."
Atty. Kapunan then quickly stated, "No further questions, Your Honor.”
Atty. Poa repeated his objection, saying, "Move to strike, Your Honor. That is out of order."
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero granted the motion and closed the questioning, declaring, "So is stricken from the record. No further questions. Direct examination is completed."
PASAY CITY—Senators are pushing back hard against a court order stopping the ₱85 minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.
Lawmakers from different political parties joined forces on August 3 to demand the immediate release of the extra pay.
They warned that blocking the wage increase hurts workers and weakens the power of regional wage boards.
To break the delay, the Senate is adopting a resolution asking the Judiciary to review and overturn the lower court's temporary restraining order.
Senate President Win Gatchalian and fellow senators stressed that local families urgently need living wages to survive rising prices.
They pointed out that conflict in the Middle East is driving up the cost of everyday goods, making the higher pay essential.
Senators Christopher "Bong" Go, Risa Hontiveros, and Robin Padilla all stood together in support of the immediate pay raise.
Senator Hontiveros called the ₱85 boost a vital first step toward securing better pay for everyday workers.
She added that while the immediate focus is on Metro Manila, workers across all regions in the country deserve the exact same relief.
PASAY CITY—The Senate took big steps to boost community health and national security during its plenary session on August 3.
Voting 20-0-0, senators unanimously passed Senate Bill No. 1905, also known as the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), on third and final reading.
Besides this health win, lawmakers debated Senate Bill No. 2272 to expand school feeding programs and combat child hunger.
They also moved to strengthen defense ties by reviewing visiting forces agreements with Canada and New Zealand.
Key Senate leaders strongly backed the passage of the health bill, emphasizing how much BHWs sacrifice for local communities.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito highlighted how BHWs often face political displacement despite their years of dedicated service.
“This bill is a product of years of hearings, consultations, technical discussions, and the collective effort of everyone who believes that our barangay health workers deserve more than words,” Ejercito said.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joel Villanueva agreed, adding, “Sa pagpapalakas ng kanilang pagsasanay, pagbibigay ng mas maayos na benepisyo, at pagkilala sa mahalagang papel na kanilang ginagampanan, mas lalo rin nating pinatitibay ang pundasyon ng ating Universal Health Care system at mas nailalapit ang dekalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan sa bawat Pilipino.”
Senators emphasized that BHWs act as the true backbone of local healthcare, making their protection a top priority.
Senator Raffy Tulfo pointed out that BHWs work tirelessly on the ground regardless of difficult conditions.
“Ang ating barangay health workers ang tunay na first line of defense ng ating health system. Rain or shine, present sila para maglingkod sa ating mga kababayan… Mr. President, bilang co-author ng panukalang ito, panahon na para suklian natin ang sakripisyo ng ating mga barangay health workers,” Tulfo said.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan added that proper care for frontliners is essential to achieve universal health care.
“Panahon na para suklian natin sila ng sapat na proteksyon, makatarungang benepisyo, tuloy-tuloy na pagsasanay, at tunay na pagkilala sa kanilang napakahalagang papel sa ating mga komunidad. Kung seryoso tayo sa pangarap na magkaroon ng universal health care, dapat seryoso rin tayong alagaan ang mga taong araw-araw na nagsasakatuparan nito sa grassroots, sa mga barangay,” Pangilinan said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography, guided the measure through the Senate and stressed its legal safeguards.
She explained that the bill sets up a clear system for registration, continuous training, and protection against unjust removal from their jobs.
“Sa ating Magna of Barangay Health Workers, malinaw nating kinikilala ang mga BHW bilang mahalagang bahagi ng ating sistemang pangkalusugan. Hindi lamang sila katulong, hindi lamang sila tagaabot ng impormasyon. Sila ay tunay na katuwang sa primary health care. at sa pagpapatupad ng universal health,” Hontiveros said.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography, stressed the urgent need to guarantee compensation for BHWs, especially in remote areas where they are often the only medical presence available.
Reminding colleagues of past struggles to secure pandemic allowances, Go stated, "By giving the Barangay Health Workers the recognition that they have fundamental rights, it is saying that these are also their human rights."
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano welcomed the bill’s passage as a crucial step toward building a complete and fair healthcare system.
Cayetano noted how local health workers in Taguig played a vital role in keeping child stunting rates low, proving the power of grassroots health programs.
Looking at the bigger picture for national health reform, Cayetano stated, "There is so much more that we can do to build a health system we can all be proud of... It’s about time that we look at the health system holistically.”
QUEZON CITY—The stage is set for the ultimate battle of grit and public service as top government agencies gathered at the Pork Barrel Grill and Restaurant in Quezon City today, August 3.
Spearheaded by basketball legend and UNTV Cup Commissioner Fortunato ‘Atoy’ Co, Deputy Commissioner Ed Cordero, and BMPI-UNTV VP Gerry Panghulan, the meeting officially finalized the parameters for the highly anticipated UNTV Cup Executive Face Off (EFO) 2026.
With the competitive fires already burning, league officials and agency leaders locked in the groundwork for what promises to be an explosive season of sportsmanship and charity.
The primary order of business centered on a rigorous review and discussion of the UNTV Cup EFO Player Eligibility Protocol.
Organizers drew clear boundaries to ensure fair play, transparent recruitment, and competitive balance among the participating state branches.
The meeting was attended by representatives from twelve government sectors including.
Circle September 6, 2026, on your calendars because that is when the action officially goes live.
The league organizers extend an open invitation to basketball fans and public servants nationwide to come out and experience the grand opening ceremony of the UNTV Cup EFO 2026.
Witness your favorite agency leaders trade their suits for jerseys and hit the hardwood for a greater cause.
Please follow UNTV Sports official social media page for more information and updates about the upcoming UNTV Cup Executive Face Off 2026.
Win in SPORTS, Win for CHARITY.
