Roel Basio

UP TO TEN SENATORS FACING OMBUDSMAN PROBE

EARLIER THIS WEEK: Ombudsman Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla on Tuesday, May 26, confirmed that approximately 9 to 10 senators are currently under investigation by his office, with at least three to four more set to face charges beyond Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Joel Villanueva, and Senator Rodante Marcoleta—who have all been publicly identified as facing plunder and related charges.

"Meron pa kaming mga pinag-aaralan na mabibigat na kaso. Hindi kasi madaling maglatag ng kaso, tandaan niyo 'yan. 'Pagka ang kalaban mo maraming pera tapos may kapangyarihan at matagal na nandiyan, hindi madali," Remulla said.

Remulla also rejected insinuations that the Ombudsman is singling out senators from any particular political bloc, saying his mandate covers everyone regardless of political affiliation: "Ang trabaho ng Ombudsman, lahat. Wala kaming atrasan. Kahit sino pa."

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World No. 45 Alex Eala found herself on the losing end in the battle of Pinay lefties, yielding to No. 25 Leylah Fernandez at the WTA 500 Stuttgart Open first round, 1-6, 4-6, in Germany Wednesday in Manila.

It marked Fernandez’s first match on red clay this season, and the Filipina-Canadian wasted no time asserting control.

Both players came in with attacking mindsets, but it was Fernandez who dictated early.

She consistently pressured Eala’s second serve, wrong-footing the Filipina while mixing in variety—including a well-executed drop shot winner—to surge to a commanding 4-0 lead in the opening set.

Fernandez’s sharp angles and ability to change direction kept Eala on the defensive, as she extended her advantage to 5-0.

Despite strong crowd support rallying behind Eala, the Filipina managed to get on the scoreboard late, but Fernandez comfortably sealed the first set, 6-1.

Eala showed signs of a fightback in the second set.

She opened with renewed aggression, firing an ace and two clean winners to take her first lead of the match at 1-0.

The 20-year-old continued to hold her ground, producing another solid service game—including an ace—to stay within striking distance at 3-2.

But Fernandez kept the ball striking and angles going to get the double break and lead 5-2.

Eala broke to close to 5-3. She saved 2 match points at 15-40, and pulled closer at 4-5.

Fernandez closed out at match point #3 to win 6-1, 6-4.

Fernandez, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 13 in August 2022, improved her win-loss record this season to 4-9.

Report by : Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN