Jasha Gamao

PASAY CITY—House prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan shifted her line of questioning to a controversial acknowledgement receipt. The document bears the name "Mary Grace Piattos" as the recipient of confidential funds. 

The lawyer closely examined the receipt as part of an ongoing House probe into how these funds were spent.

During the hearing, witness Roderick Wamil affirmed that the AR states Piattos "received" P70,000 for the "payment of reward (medicines)." 

The statement raised immediate questions from the prosecution about the real nature of the transaction. 

The bizarre wording on the document has made it a central piece of evidence in the investigation.

Looking for clarity, Kapunan asked: “So does this mean payment of rewards came in the form of "medicines"?” 

Wamil answered that it cannot be determined based on the document alone. He explained that this is why they asked for additional documents from the agency. 

"Kailangan macomply yung provision ng joint circular for payment of rewards," he added.

Kapunan then pushed further, asking: So are you saying this AR to "Mary Grace Piattos" is a violation of the COA joint circular? Why?”

Wamil confirmed the breach of standard rules. "Hindi ito properly supported ng documents evidencing success, which is required by the joint circular," Wamil said, pointing out the lack of paperwork.

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PASAY CITY—The prosecution panel presented Roderick Wamil from the Commission on Audit as a witness to the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on August 3.

The state auditor revealed that only Vice President Sara Duterte had confidential funds among recent vice presidents. 

Roderick Wamil, who served at the Commission on Audit - Intelligence and Confidential Funds Office (COA-ICFAO), testified that her predecessors did not receive these secret funds. 

The statement came during an inquiry where the prosecution team questioned how past vice presidents used public money.

During the hearing, the prosecution team pressed the auditor to clarify which top officials he checked. 

“Vice president Binay, vice president Robredo at Vice President Sara Duterte, sino-sino sa kanila ang inaudit mo tungkol sa confidential funds?” Atty. Lorna Kapunan asked. 

Wamil answered directly and confirmed that he only checked the current vice president's hidden budget. 

“Buhat po nung nag-assume ako noong 2014, tanging si Bise Presidente Sara Duterte lang po ‘yung aking na-audit na may confidential funds,” Wamil said. 

He noted that his work at the specialized audit office spans over a decade, covering multiple administrations.

When asked why he only checked Duterte's funds, Wamil explained that former vice presidents Jejomar Binay and Leni Robredo did not receive such budgets from Congress. 

He told the panel, “Dahil po since po nung nag-assume po ako nung 2014 sa ICFAO, wala pong naging appropriation for confidential funds si dating vice president Binay at si dating vice president Robredo. Tanging si Vice President Sara Duterte lang po ‘yung nagkaroon ng appropriations for the confidential funds.”

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Filipino pole vault maestro EJ Obiena dominated the field at the 1st International Pole Vault Meeting in Halberstadt, Germany, on August 1, capturing a definitive gold medal. 

Obiena wasted no time stamping his authority on the competition by clearing 5.76 meters on his very first attempt. 

This decisive first-try clearance immediately put immense pressure on the rest of the pack, showcasing the precise form and rhythm that has made him a mainstay on global podiums.

The spectacular performance allowed Obiena to outclass a highly competitive 10-man international field completely. 

Rivals struggled to match the efficiency of the Filipino sports icon, who navigated the bar with seamless technical precision. 

By bypassing the misses that plagued his competitors, Obiena ensured a clean scorecard that secured his spot at the absolute top of the podium.

The victory once again triggers immense national pride, reinforcing Obiena’s status as a world-class contender. 

With this latest podium finish secured, the Filipino champion signals to the athletic world that he remains a dominant, elite force to be reckoned with.

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MANILA—The AFP Cavaliers pulled off a massive upset in UNTV Cup Season 12, downing the tournament's top-seeded Ombudsman Graftbusters, 88-84, at the Paco Arena on August 2. 

The thrilling victory marks a critical resurgence for the Cavaliers, who desperately needed a win after enduring a brutal three-game losing streak in the second round of the eliminations. 

By outlasting the powerhouse Graftbusters, AFP proved they are still serious contenders capable of taking down the league's best.

Michael Bañaria stepped up big time when the Cavaliers needed it most, capturing the Best Player of the Game honors. 

Bañaria spearheaded the AFP attack by delivering a stellar performance, dropping 20 points and grabbing 2 rebounds to anchor his team's offense and defense down the stretch. 

His relentless energy on the court provided the perfect antidote to the Graftbusters' top-tier ranking, rallying his teammates to fight through the pressure and secure the hard-earned win.

Reflecting on the team's grit and dedication to turn their season around, Bañaria credited their intense preparation for the breakout victory. 

“Nakapag-balik po kami ng laro namin kasi araw-araw po kami nagpa-practice dahil sa game namin na tatlong loss so kailangan talaga namin mag step up bawat isa sa amin at saka ginawa lang po namin yung rules namin doon sa loob at doon naman po naging maayos naman po yung hardwork ng teammates ko at saka yung coaches,” Bañaria said in a post-game interview. 

With their losing skid finally snapped, the Cavaliers look to carry this newfound momentum deeper into the tournament.

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MANILA—The PNP Responders locked in the first coveted seat in the UNTV Cup Season 12 semifinal round after dismantling the Judiciary Magis, 70-51, on August 2, at the Paco Arena. 

The dominant victory extended the Responders' perfect run to four straight wins in the second round of the elimination phase, cementing their status as a top title contender this season.

PNP playing coach Harold Sta. Cruz led by example, earning Player of the Game honors after rallying his squad through an early rough patch. 

Sta. Cruz pulled double-double figures—12 point, 18 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal to put the PNP on top of their battle with the Judiciary.

The Magis put up a tough fight in the opening minutes, but Sta. Cruz successfully anchored the team's defensive and offensive adjustments to completely break the game open in the later quarters.

"Slow start kami, well I reminded them na hindi tayo pwedeng complacent kasi alam namin na pag nakuha namin ‘tong game na ‘to, magiging automatic number 2 talaga kami. So, medyo nagising naman yung mga teammate so nagtrabaho ulit kami," Sta. Cruz said after the game. 

His timely wake-up call effectively boosted the Responders' morale, transforming a sluggish start into a 19-point blowout victory that officially punched their ticket to the next round.