Jasha Gamao

QUEZON CITY—The House Committee on Justice officially declared the second impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. sufficient in form during a high-stakes hearing on Monday, February 2. 

With a decisive 35-9-1 vote, the panel confirmed that the document, filed by Liza Largoza Maza and several co-petitioners, meets the necessary procedural requirements to move forward.

The proceedings took a dramatic turn immediately following the vote when Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante staged a walkout. Abante, a vocal critic of the move, exited the session hall to signal his strong objection to the committee's decision. 

"Realizing that this is actually an exercise in futility and a waste of the people's money, I therefore would like to walk out of this hearing right now," said Abante.

With this crucial decision, the committee is now set to deliberate on whether the complaint is sufficient in substance. This next phase will determine if the charges leveled by Maza’s group provide enough factual and legal basis to warrant a formal trial. 

QUEZON CITY—A coalition of civil society leaders led by Tindig Pilipinas filed a fresh impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday morning, February 2. 

Endorsed by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, the complaint accuses the Vice President of culpable violations of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust. 

Prominent figures including Kiko Aquino Dee, Ging Deles, and Fr. Flavie Villanueva were among the petitioners to spearhead the filing.

This latest legal challenge is the second to be filed today, coming shortly after a separate complaint from the Makabayan bloc. 

As the House Committee on Justice prepares to deliberate on these filings, the petitioners emphasized that the move is a necessary step toward ending a "culture of impunity" and holding the nation’s second-highest official accountable for alleged administrative and criminal lapses.

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MANILA—Alex Eala electrified the home crowd on Monday, January 26 delivering a masterclass performance to sweep Russia’s Alina Charaeva, 6-1, 6-2, in the opening round of the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open in Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila. 

The Filipina sensation wasted no time asserting her dominance, dismantling Charaeva’s defense with precision strikes to take the first set in lopsided fashion. 

Playing with the poise of a seasoned veteran and the fire of a local icon, Eala proved exactly why she is the country's premier tennis star, needing just 76 minutes to secure her clinical victory.

The match reached a fever pitch in the second set when Eala flipped the script on a momentary lapse. After falling into an early 0-2 hole, she ignited a six-game scoring blitz, effectively shutting out Charaeva to close the door on any comeback hopes. 

The Manila crowd rose in a deafening standing ovation as Eala sealed the win, punctuating a roaring debut that set a high bar for the rest of the tournament.

Catch all updates about the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open 2026 from January 26-31, 2026 on UNTV Sports and UNTV News and Rescue.

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PASAY CITY—Fifteen senators from both the majority and minority blocs filed Senate Resolution No. 256 on January 27, formally condemning Chinese embassy officials for their recent verbal attacks on Philippine leaders. 

Led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Francis Pangilinan, the Senate moved to protect national sovereignty following a string of "improper" criticisms from Beijing’s diplomats regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute. 

The resolution pulls no punches, explicitly denouncing the Chinese embassy for castigating Philippine officials who were simply performing their official duties. 

The signatories argued that such behavior grossly violates accepted standards of diplomatic conduct and undermines the mutual respect required between sovereign states. 

By filing this measure, the senators including Panfilo Lacson, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Risa Hontiveros aim to send a clear message that foreign interference in domestic governance and maritime defense will not be tolerated.

PASAY CITY—Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito officially launched his chairmanship of the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Wednesday by fast-tracking legislation for mandatory body-worn cameras. 

The hearing focused on several proposed measures that would require law enforcement officers to record all field operations in real-time. 

By automating the documentation of arrests and searches, the committee aims to eliminate "he-said, she-said" scenarios and ensure a transparent, undeniable record of police conduct.

Senator Ejercito emphasized that the mandate is a critical step in safeguarding fundamental human rights and restoring public trust in the justice system. 

“Ang pagsusuot po ng body-worn cameras ay malaki ang maitutulong upang maalis na ang anumang pagdududa sa mga isinasagawang lehitimong operasyon ng ating mga law enforcer.”—Senator Ejercito said in his opening statement.

"Wearing body-worn cameras will be a great help in eliminating any doubts regarding the legitimate operations conducted by our law enforcers."

The proposed laws prioritize the safety of both the public and the officers themselves, providing a clear digital trail that discourages misconduct while protecting police from baseless accusations. 

With these measures, the committee moves to modernize Philippine law enforcement, ensuring that the delivery of justice is both visible and verifiable.