@mnlstandardph
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She went all in… she was really aggressive and she kept her focus.
Alex is a guarantee when it comes to returning.
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—Toni Nadal March 27, 2025
—Rafa Nadal March 26, 2025
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With a slight improvement in your game, you can be among the best in the world.
We are extremely proud of you, Alex… What an incredible tournament! Let’s keep dreaming!”
History has been written by Alex Eala as she becomes the first Filipina to win a WTA singles title! Congratulations Alex Eala! Your victory is a victory for the whole country.
@ManilaStandardYT
— Joan Bosch March 27, 2025
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— Iga Świątek March 27, 2025
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 205 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
Marcos: No regrets about presidency
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— President Marcos in a message posted on social media
Timeline of Achievements
Vows to root out corruption
2009 Started tennis training at age 4 2020 Won Australian Open Junior Doubles Title 2021 Won French Open Junior Doubles Championship 2022 Historic win: First Filipino to win Junior Grand Slam Singles Title at the US Open 2024–2025 Reached career-high WTA No. 56
UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS Sao Paulo Open, Brazil September 8 to 14, 2025 China Open (Beijing WTA 1000) September 24 to October 5, 2025 Hong Kong Tennis Open (WTA 250) October 27, 2025 to November 2, 2025
A star is born: Alexandra Eala captures historic 1st WTA title
By Vince Lopez
A
VISIBLY unsettled and teary-eyed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. admitted yesterday he is deeply affected by corruption in government, but said he has no regrets being president as it gives him the opportunity to reform the system.
“Yes, because I’m very upset,” Mr. Marcos replied when asked about his emotional state by veteran news anchor Vicky Morales during an interview. Next page
NO REGRETS. A somber President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. expresses no regrets at being president despite the scandals arising from the misuse of billions of flood control funds. PCO
PBBM backs Cabinet amid tussle with solons PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” CBCP demands return of Marcos Jr. yesterday expressed full supstolen flood-control funds port for his Cabinet a day after Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin lashed out at unNEWS / A3 named solons for threatening to return the proposed 2026 budget to the Palace. Before leaving for a state visit to stands how members of his official Cambodia, Mr. Marcos said he under- family feel they are being treated too
harshly, but urged them to remain calm just the same. “I hope, lumamig na ‘yung mga ulo ninyo [I hope you have cooled down]. But I will have to just say that I perfectly understand why you are feeling a little unjustly beleaguered,” he said in Next page
By Peter Atencio
tions. So, I wanna thank my team (of coaches) for helping me through the week,” said Eala, the second-seeded FIRST. #1 With these two simple words posted player in the tournament. “Udvardy’s a really great person. It on social media, Alexandra Eala declared a new era for Philippine tennis. was a tough match today,” added Eala as In a career-defining moment, the she commended Udvardy for the tough20-year-old Eala pulled off a 1-6, 7-5, ness she also showed on the court. 6-3 comeback victory over Hungary’s Prize and rise Panna Udvardy as she captured her Eala’s first pro crown gave her the first-ever Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles’ title at the Guadalajara $15,500 (roughly P878,803.44) top 125 Open, becoming the first Filipino purse, to go with the 160 points that catapulted her live WTA rankings to to ever achieve the feat. “It was tough to adjust to the condiNext page
MILLENNIAL SAINT. A faithful holds a portrait of late teenager Carlo Acutis in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica ahead of a Holy Mass and canonisation ceremony of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on September 7, 2025. (Story on A2) AFP
Comelec to name more contractor-donors to pols Cambodia visit to diversify ties in key econ, cultural sectors
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified nine more contractors who may have donated to candidates in the 2022 elections, Comelec chairman George Garcia said yesterday. Earlier, Garcia confirmed that contractors contributed to the campaigns of
national candidates in the 2022 elections, with at least three linked to firms that secured major flood control projects. He said the Comelec is vetting the list with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to determine which contractors had active contracts with the
government during the elections. Garcia said in an interview yesterday on Super Radyo dzBB that seven of the contractors contributed to the election campaigns of senators and congressmen, while 15 of them donated to
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BI defies court order, refuses to free Sy By Vito Barcelo and Othel Campos order for the respondent’s release after the court order. granting his petition for habeas corpus. The Taguig City Regional Trial Court THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) BI chief Joel Anthony Viado said Branch 221 earlier granted Chen’s petistands firm on its decision to detain a the detainee, Chen Hong Zhen also tion for habeas corpus and ordered his Chinese businessman facing charges known as Joseph Sy, will remain in release, citing lack of jurisdiction. of false representation despite a court the agency’s custody notwithstanding Next page
By Vince Lopez PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Cambodia on Sunday for a state visit at the invitation of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, marking a significant step in strengthening the Philippines’ diplomatic and economic relations with the Kingdom of Cambodia. Philippine Airlines flight PR-001, which transported the President together with First Lady Liza AranetaMarcos and his official delegation, landed safely by 4:08 p.m. (Manila time) at the Phnom Penh International Airport.
“We have seen dynamism in the partnership between the Philippines and Cambodia across key sectors. These sectors include defense and security, trade, agriculture, heritage preservation, among others,” President Marcos said in his departure statement. “During my visit, I will discuss ways to further diversify our cooperation and strengthen our intra-ASEAN relationships and exchanges by capitalizing on our complementary strengths in the face of global economic headwinds,” he added. President Marcos also emphasized the importance of expanding Next page