The Senate impeachment court briefly set aside its political tensions on Tuesday as lawmakers united to honor Filipino tennis star Alex Eala following her historic title win at the Mubadala DC Open.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, serving as the presiding officer of the impeachment court, paused the 12th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial to lead the bipartisan tribute.
“Bagama’t magkakatunggali ang magkabilang panig dito sa impeachment court, may mga bagay-bagay na dapat pinagkakasunduan at pinagkakaisahan natin. Lalo na dun sa mga napuyat kagabi kakapanood ng TV,” Escudero said.
“At para sa akin ang isa po dito ay ang tagumpay at kampeonato ng ating magaling at magiting na kababayan na si Alex Eala sa DC Open,” he added.
“Sa ngalan ng magkatunggaling mga partido ng impeachment trial, nais po naming ipabatid ang aming nagkakaisang pagbati kay Binibining Alex Eala sa kanyang panalo at kampeonato sa DC Open,” Escudero stated.
The tribute followed the 21-year-old’s landmark performance in Washington, where she rallied from behind to defeat world No. 3 Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 in a rain-delayed final.
The victory marked a milestone moment for Philippine sports, securing Eala’s first WTA 500 crown and making her the first Filipino player to ever win a Women’s Tennis Association singles championship.