𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: “UP Researchers Discover Four New Fault Zones West of Luzon” by Ava Graciella Ainza

Layout by: Monique Baban

Published by: Rianna Isabel M. Tan

Date Published: July 7, 2026

Time Published: 1:02 PM

A multinational research team that included two geologists from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Leo T. Amarda and Carla B. Dimalanta, along with scientists from Taiwan, previously identified four unmapped fault zones beneath the sea west of Luzon.

The faults appeared to expand out from the main Philippine Fault Zone (PFZ), as per the study released by the UP office of the vice president for academic affairs (OVPAA), mentioned.

With the usage of high-resolution seafloor maps and seismic-reflection profiles, the researchers discovered four offshore fault zones that emerge from the northwestward extension of the Philippine Fault Zone.

It is explained that the southernmost branch may continue toward the Manila Trench, a known major offshore subduction zone west of Luzon, which can help clarify why the trench is divided into different segments.

Northern and southern sections descending beneath the region at different angles was found as evidence that the subducted slab central Luzon was ripped.

One of the faults’ branches appears to extend within the main fault to the Manila trench, a major undersea feature wherein the tsunamis and earthquakes can also come into existence.

Researchers said that the tearing may be caused by the two major geologic collisions happening at the same time, one from Palawan Microcontinental Block pushing from the southwest, and another from the Philippine Rise pushing from the northeast.

They also mentioned that it is important to understand how PFZ works as it is essential for earthquake risk reduction within the country. 

The researchers added; by knowing geologic structures, a person can understand much more about the complex forces shaping Luzon, which can be the guide of improving hazard assessments and earthquake preparedness.

REFERENCES:

Cariso, B (2026, July 02). 4 new fault zones discovered in Luzon. Philstar Global.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/07/04/2539653/4-new-fault-zones-discovered-luzon

Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs (2026, July 02). Researchers have discovered four new fault zones beneath the sea west of Luzon, branching out from the main Philippine Fault Zone

OVPAA education ph.

https://ovpaa.up.edu.ph/research/researchers-have-discovered-four-new-fault-zones-beneath-the-sea-west-of-luzon-branching-out-from-the

-main-philippine-fault-zone/?fbclid=

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: “Court Orders Marcoleta's Detention Over Plunder Case” by Francheska Pielago

 

Layout by: Dhen Lusanta 

Published by: Keshia Gwyneth Esposa

Date Published: July 7, 2026

Time Published: 8:42 AM

The Sandiganbayan arrested Senator Rodante Marcoleta on July 6 over a ₱75-million plunder case after finding probable cause involving alleged undeclared campaign donations during the 2025 elections.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued the warrant after denying Marcoleta's motions to dismiss the case, suspend the proceedings, and stop the implementation of the arrest warrant.

Associate Justice Karl Miranda said that the court found probable cause but emphasized that the warrant does not determine guilt.

Marcoleta voluntarily appeared before the anti-graft court and said he expected the warrant. He stated that he would not hide and would face the charges.

Authorities brought him to Camp Crame for booking before transferring him to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder case, alleging that Marcoleta received ₱75 million in campaign donations from former Anakalusugan Representative Michael Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray last January 2025.

Prosecutors stated that Marcoleta failed to declare the funds in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and campaign finance reports. They also alleged that the donor's taxes were paid only in December 2025, which they cited as evidence of concealment.

Aside from plunder, Marcoleta and his co-accused also face charges for violating Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts or benefits related to their official duties.

Marcoleta denied the allegations and maintained that the case is politically motivated. Under Republic Act No. 7080 (Plunder Law), a person charged with plunder may be granted bail only if the court determines, after a bail hearing, that the evidence of guilt is not strong.

REFERENCES:

GMA Network. (2026, July 6). Arrest warrant out for Rodante Marcoleta, 3 others over P75-M plunder case

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/993635/sandiganbayan-arrest-warrant-rodante-marcoleta-plunder-case/story

Inquirer.net. (2026, July 6). Marcoleta to be detained at Payatas jail over plunder case

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2258243/marcoleta-to-be-detained-at-payatas-jail-over-plunder-case

Philstar. (2026, July 6). Marcoleta arrested in P75-M plunder case

https://share.google/YswVPe0hU8th1n1iU

Office of the Ombudsman. Republic Act No. 7080 (Plunder Law)

https://share.google/iy5Ia4quTD4uNIZSG

Arrest warrant out for Rodante Marcoleta, 3 others over P75-M plunder case

www.gmanetwork.com

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: “Excavation collapse in Las Piñas kills two workers” by John Resty M. Merano

 

Layout by: Pryce Yunique Cabezas

Published by: Keshia Gwyneth Esposa

Date Published: July 2, 2026

Time Published: 9:19 AM

Two workers died and one sustained injuries after an excavation site collapsed during a Maynilad Water Services pipeline project, trapping them beneath soil inside an 18-meter-deep trench in Barangay Pamplona Dos, Las Piñas City on June 28.

The victims, identified only as Justine and Ricky, were carrying out excavation work when the trench suddenly caved in, burying them under loose soil. Rescue personnel immediately responded to the scene, while the injured worker was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Members of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), local disaster response units, and other rescue teams conducted an overnight retrieval operation to locate the trapped workers. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of Justine and Ricky at around 6:44 a.m. on June 29.

Maynilad Water Services confirmed the deaths and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. The company also stated that it is cooperating with authorities in the investigation and will extend assistance to the affected families while reviewing the project’s safety measures.

The Las Piñas City Police, together with the other concerned agencies, launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to verify whether occupational safety standards and excavation protocols were properly observed at the work site.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to determine the cause of the collapse and assess compliance with existing safety protocols.

REFERENCES:

Chi, C. (2026, June 29). Two workers killed after dig site collapses in Las Piñas. The Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/06/29/2538581/two-workers-killed-after-dig-site-collapses-las-pias

 

Danio, J. (2026, June 29). Maynilad confirms two workers killed in Las Piñas excavation site collapse. The Manila Times.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/06/29/news/maynilad-confirms-two-workers-killed-in-las-pias-excavation-site-collapse/2374630

Ronda, R. (2026, June 30). Las Piñas excavation site collapses; 2 dead. The Philippine Star.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/06/30/2538704/las-pias-excavation-site-collapses-2-dead

Sanches, E. (2026, June 29). 2 workers dead after Las Piñas road excavation site collapse. ABS-CBN NEWS. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/29/rescue-ongoing-for-2-missing-workers-after-las-pi-as-road-excavation-site-collapse-0754

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: "INC Protest Crowds EDSA Over Marcoleta Case" by Francheska Pielago

            

Layout by: Kyla Dacanay

Published by: Kyla Shane Recullo

Date Published: July 1, 2026

Time Published: 9:50 PM

Thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) gathered along EDSA in Quezon City on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as the rally reached 14,000 attendees in support of Senator Rodante Marcoleta amid his pending plunder case.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that around 13,500 people gathered at the junction of White Plains Avenue and EDSA northbound, while 600 others occupied the southbound area near Connecticut Street. 

The rally was held to defend Marcoleta, who faces a possible plunder complaint over alleged ₱75-million campaign donations during the 2025 senatorial elections.

INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala said that the church supports transparency, accountability, and justice, while criticizing what it called "selective justice."

They argued that Marcoleta, who had previously investigated alleged irregularities in government projects, should not face prosecution while other individuals accused of corruption remain unpunished.

The gathering caused heavy traffic along major EDSA routes as rallyists occupied portions of the road. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) closed White Plains Avenue and said the protest had no permit or prior coordination with authorities.

To maintain peace and order, the Quezon City Police District deployed around 2,166 police officers in the area. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also canceled his morning activities to monitor the situation, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

Government officials said the case against Marcoleta would proceed through the legal process, while the INC continued to call for transparency, accountability, and justice during the mass protest.

REFERENCES:

Inquirer Net. (2026, June 30) | INC airs support for Marcoleta, hits ‘selective justice’

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2255008/inc-airs-support-for-marcoleta-hits-selective-justice

Tribune Net. (2026, June 30) | INC defends Marcoleta, vows to keep pressing for accountability as rally without permit snarls EDSA

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/06/30/inc-defends-marcoleta-vows-to-keep-pressing-for-accountability-as-rally-without-permit-snarls-edsa

Philstar (2026, June 30) | Marcos cancels morning events to monitor INC rally that swarmed EDSA

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/06/30/2538857/marcos-cancels-morning-events-monitor-inc-rally-swarmed-edsa

Inquirer Net. (2026, June 30) | PNP: INC EDSA rally crowd grows to over 14,000 as of 4 p.m.

https://share.google/Yp4u6zDcdBh8lqcj6

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: “Senate moves Sara Duterte’s trial closer to July 6” by Christian James Maon

Layout by: Bryan Roxas

Published by: Kyla Shane Recullo

Date Published: July 1, 2026

Time Published: 9:35 PM

The Senate is set to begin Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial on July 6, 2026, as it finalizes the pre-trial order that will guide the proceedings. 

The Senate had earlier expected the trial to last about seven to eight months. However, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said that timeline would push the proceedings too far into 2027.

Due to that, the chamber is now looking for a shorter and more focused trial schedule while still keeping the case on track.

Bantug said the pre-trial order will serve as the roadmap for the hearings and will help define what both sides can present before the impeachment court.

The pre-trial phase began on June 18, 2026, and ended after five sessions on June 25, 2026. 

During that phase, the prosecution and defense teams marked evidence, discussed possible witnesses, and worked on the order of presentation.

Bantug added that the final pre-trial order will first be sent to both sides so they can submit their comments by July 1, 2026.

House Prosecutors Leila de Lima and Chel Diokno argued that ending the case early would go against the Constitution and deny the public a full and fair process.

Diokno and De Lima stated that the impeachment court should hear the evidence and allow both sides to present their arguments before making any decision.

“That’s why we’re studying how to hasten the impeachment trial. We will consult the prosecution and the defense on how we can shorten the process,” stated Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian. 

REFERENCES:

Clores, K. (2026, June 29). Bantug: Pretrial order sent to parties in Sara Duterte impeachment case. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2254726/bantug-pretrial-order-sent-to-parties-in-sara-impeachment-case

Servallos, N. (2026, June 28). Senate eyes shorter VP Sara impeachment trial.Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/06/29/2538499/senate-eyes-shorter-vp-sara-impeachment-trial

Leon, D. de. (2026, June 29). Prosecution opposes scenario of impeach court junking Sara Duterte case without trial. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/prosecution-rejects-scenario-impeachment-court-junking-sara-duterte-case-without-trial/

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: "DILG Pushes Permanent GoreBox Ban After Tacloban Incident" by Isaac Victor Del Rosario

              

Layout by: Carla Supisa

Published by: Kyla Shane Recullo

Date Published: Jun 27, 2026

Time Published: 10:31 PM

On June 25, 2026, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged stricter measures against violent video games after authorities linked GoreBox to minors involved in school attack threats and the Tacloban shooting investigation.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that a 14-year-old student in Leyte, who allegedly posted threats of a school attack, was a fan of GoreBox, a game currently blocked by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) following the Tacloban incident.

Authorities earlier reported that one of the suspects in the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City had played the game before the incident, which left three students dead and 20 others injured.

Remulla called for stronger gun ownership laws and pushed for a permanent ban on GoreBox, saying that violent content may negatively affect young users. He also stated that the student from Leyte was investigated after authorities received reports of a school attack threat. 

Meanwhile, GoreBox developer Felix Filip declined a Senate request to attend a hearing on the incident. He expressed sympathy for the victims and stated that the game is intended for adults, not minors.

The government is reviewing online safety measures and monitoring digital platforms as investigations into the incidents continue.

REFERENCES: 

Laqui, I. (2026, June 25). 14-year-old behind foiled school attack threat was a GoreBox fan — DILG. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/06/25/2537771/14-year-old-behind-foiled-school-attack-threat-was-gorebox-fan-dilg 

Magadia, C., & Oliquino, E. (2026, June 26). GoreBox, violence spree game. Daily Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/2026/06/26/gorebox-violence-spree-game 

Abanto, R. (2026, June 25). DILG wants stronger gun law, permanent GoreBox ban after fatal Tacloban school shooting. ABS-CBN News https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/25/dilg-wants-stronger-gun-law-permanent-gorebox-ban-1214 

Pechay, I. (2026, June 26). GoreBox declines Senate invite on Tacloban shooting probe. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2253182/gorebox-developer-declines-senate-invite-on-tacloban-shooting-probe

𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗢𝗡: "Strong Hands, Soft Heart" by Cathleezea Altair

Inilathala ni: Keshia Gwyneth Esposa 

Petsang Inilathala: Hunyo 23, 2026

Oras na Inilathala: 10:09 AM