The Senate briefly paused the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, August 4, to honor Filipina tennis star Alex Eala following her historic WTA Tour title victory.
READ: Tennis: Philippines’ Alex Eala wins first WTA title, Taylor Fritz claims Washington crown
Before the 12th day of the trial formally began, presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero asked the chamber to recognize Eala’s milestone achievement, saying he was congratulating the tennis star on behalf of all the senator-judges.
Escudero noted that both the prosecution and the defense were united in celebrating Eala’s championship, describing it as a source of pride for the entire nation.
The senator-judges then gave Eala a round of applause in recognition of her historic feat.
Escudero also drew laughter from the session hall after joking about the timing of Eala’s championship match, which concluded early Tuesday.
“Kaya pag may inaantok na senator-judge, malamang nanood kagabi,” Escudero quipped.
The Senate’s tribute came after Eala capped a breakthrough campaign at the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
Before advancing to the championship match, the Filipina defeated former US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the semifinals, a match that also sparked online speculation after some social media users tried to link the bright green outfit she wore to politics.
Eala did not issue any statement connecting her attire to any political figure, and there was no verified evidence supporting the claim.
READ: Fake quote card falsely attributed to Alex Eala circulates amid online speculation over green outfit
She then rallied past world No. 4 and top seed Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, to become the first Filipina to win a WTA Tour singles title, prompting celebrations across the country before the Senate resumed Duterte’s impeachment trial.
READ: Cebu archbishop holds up Alex Eala as role model for youth
—With John Marwin Elao
