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Senate opens impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

DC Alviar
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Senate opens impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Senate formally convened as an impeachment court on Monday, opening the historic trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in a high-stakes political proceeding that could determine her future in public office and reshape the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.

The proceedings began under heightened security, with more than 6,000 police personnel, including anti-riot units, deployed around the Senate complex. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside, calling for Duterte’s conviction, while the vice president did not personally attend the opening session and was instead represented by her legal team. According to the Senate’s pretrial schedule, the impeachment trial is expected to run for 92 days.

If convicted by at least two-thirds of the 24-member Senate, or 16 senators, Duterte could be permanently removed from office and barred from holding any future public position. She has denied all allegations against her.

The Articles of Impeachment, transmitted by the House of Representatives after lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the complaint, accuse Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth, misusing confidential and intelligence funds, and publicly threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The vice president has rejected the accusations and maintained that the impeachment process is politically motivated.

Leading the prosecution panel, Batangas 6th District Rep. Gerville Luistro told the impeachment court that prosecutors possess sufficient documentary evidence and witness testimony to support the charges.

“This is the moment when the republic must demonstrate that laws are applied equally to the powerful and the powerless alike,” Luistro said.

Responding for the defense, lead counsel Sheila Sison questioned whether the prosecution could substantiate its allegations, emphasizing that impeachment should not be used as a political weapon.

“This court, and we as a people, must guarantee that all efforts to hold our leaders accountable must be done right. Impeachment should never be abused,” Sison told the Senate.

The trial unfolds amid the continuing political split between Duterte and President Marcos Jr., who won the 2022 national elections as running mates in an alliance that united two of the country’s most influential political families. The partnership later collapsed over policy differences, governance issues, and competing political interests.

Political observers view the impeachment case as a defining moment before the 2028 presidential race, in which Duterte has publicly expressed her intention to seek the presidency. A conviction would effectively end those ambitions.

The impeachment proceedings also come as the Duterte family continues to face legal challenges. Former President Rodrigo Duterte remains in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague after his arrest earlier this year. He is scheduled to stand trial on Nov. 30 over allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign. The former president has denied authorizing extrajudicial killings.

Sara Duterte has repeatedly criticized the Marcos administration for cooperating with the ICC in her father’s arrest and transfer to The Hague, further deepening the political divide between the two camps.

The rivalry has also highlighted contrasting foreign policy approaches. President Marcos has strengthened defense and security cooperation with the United States and other allies while taking a firmer stance against China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea. In contrast, former President Duterte pursued closer ties with Beijing and Moscow during his administration. The vice president has likewise faced criticism from some sectors for her response to China’s activities in the disputed waters.

The opening of the impeachment trial coincided with legal troubles involving several senators associated with the Duterte bloc. Senator Rodante Marcoleta was arrested Monday on a non-bailable plunder charge related to alleged undeclared campaign donations, an accusation he has denied. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, meanwhile, remains out of public view after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest over his alleged role in the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. Senator Jinggoy Estrada is also facing a separate plunder case linked to an alleged flood control bribery scheme, although he has denied any wrongdoing.

As the Senate begins hearing evidence and witness testimony in the coming weeks, the impeachment trial is expected to become one of the most consequential constitutional proceedings in recent Philippine history, with significant implications for governance, accountability, and the country’s political future.

Massive crowds fill Tehran for Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral procession

Venus L Peñaflor
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Massive crowds fill Tehran for Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral procession

TEHRAN, Iran – Tens of thousands of mourners filled the streets of Tehran on Monday as Iran held the largest public funeral procession yet for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, underscoring the ruling clerical establishment’s continued ability to mobilize massive crowds following months of regional conflict.

State television broadcast aerial footage showing densely packed crowds lining major boulevards as a truck carrying the flag-draped coffins of Khamenei and four of his family members slowly made its way through the Iranian capital. Fire hoses sprayed water over mourners to help them cope with the summer heat as the procession advanced.

Many participants carried Iranian flags, portraits of Khamenei, and banners condemning the United States and Israel, which Iran blames for the February 28 airstrikes that killed the longtime leader. Some demonstrators burned U.S. and British flags and chanted calls for revenge, while one prominent banner read, “The U.S. killed our father. We won’t let you go.”

The funeral procession marked the culmination of several days of state mourning that began after Khamenei’s body lay in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex. The ceremonies are expected to continue through several religious cities in Iran and Iraq before Khamenei is buried in his hometown of Mashhad, one of Shiite Islam’s holiest cities.

Notably absent from Monday’s procession was Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained out of public view since succeeding his father. Reuters reported that he was reportedly injured in the same airstrike that killed the elder Khamenei, while Iranian authorities have cited security concerns surrounding public appearances.

The scale of the funeral has drawn comparisons to the 1989 funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic. Iranian authorities have sought to project national unity and resilience through the week-long ceremonies, describing them as one of the largest public gatherings in the country’s modern history. Officials also implemented extensive security measures to prevent a repeat of the deadly crowd surge that marred Khomeini’s funeral, which left several people dead and thousands injured.

The funeral comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East following the war that erupted earlier this year between Iran, Israel and the United States. Although a preliminary peace agreement has since taken effect, regional uncertainty remains as diplomatic efforts continue over Iran’s nuclear program, regional security, and the future balance of power in the Middle East.

At least 25 killed, over 100 injured in deadly Sri Lanka prison clashes

EDGARDO HERNAL
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At least 25 killed, over 100 injured in deadly Sri Lanka prison clashes

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – At least 25 people were killed and about 100 others injured after two days of violent clashes between rival groups of inmates at Negombo Prison, one of Sri Lanka’s largest correctional facilities, authorities said Monday. The incident is among the deadliest prison riots in the country’s recent history.

The unrest began on Sunday inside the prison in Negombo, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Colombo, and escalated on Monday as prison officials attempted to stop the fighting. Authorities said inmates attacked prison personnel, while some prisoners tried to escape but were prevented from leaving the facility.

Reuters reported that the violence erupted between convicted inmates serving long-term sentences and prisoners being held in temporary detention. Of the 25 fatalities, six were prison officials, while the remaining victims were inmates. Around 100 people were injured, with some suffering gunshot wounds, cuts and bruises, according to hospital officials. Eighteen of the injured were transferred to another hospital for further treatment.

Police riot squads, Special Task Force personnel, and additional security units were deployed to regain control of the prison. The Sri Lanka Air Force also provided aerial surveillance using a helicopter and drones as authorities secured the compound. By Monday evening, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the prison had been brought under full government control and that an investigation into the violence was underway.

Prisons Department spokesman A.C. Gajanayake said the initial altercation broke out during breakfast before escalating into widespread violence. He added that investigators are examining whether drug trafficking inside the prison played a role in triggering the clashes, although the exact cause has not yet been established.

Outside the prison, anxious relatives gathered behind police barricades as ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals. Security remained tight throughout the day as authorities searched parts of the prison to account for inmates and recover any weapons used during the riot.

The violence has renewed attention on Sri Lanka’s overcrowded prison system. According to official figures, the country’s prisons house more than 39,000 inmates despite having a combined capacity of only about 10,000, creating chronic overcrowding and straining security and rehabilitation efforts. Negombo Prison alone holds approximately 2,400 inmates.

The latest incident is the country’s deadliest prison riot in years. Previous major outbreaks of prison violence include a 2020 riot that left 11 inmates dead and a 2012 prison uprising in Colombo that claimed 27 lives, highlighting long-standing challenges facing Sri Lanka’s correctional system.

Unang SOCA ni Mayor Gapangada itinampok ang digitalization, economic zone at panawagan sa pagkakaisa

Venus L Peñaflor
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Unang SOCA ni Mayor Gapangada itinampok ang digitalization, economic zone at panawagan sa pagkakaisa

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – Inilatag ni San Pablo City Mayor Najie Gapangada ang direksiyon ng kanyang administrasyon sa kauna-unahang State of the City Address (SOCA) na ginanap sa San Pablo Convention Center, kung saan binigyang-diin niya ang digitalisasyon ng mga serbisyo ng lokal na pamahalaan, pagsusulong ng San Pablo City Economic Zone, at pagpapalawak ng mga programa sa kalusugan, edukasyon, kabuhayan at pangangalaga sa kalikasan.

Isa sa mga pangunahing inihayag ng alkalde ang paglulunsad ng iSanPablo, isang digital platform na pinapagana ng iGAD (Integrated Government Access for Digitalization) na layong gawing mas mabilis, mas episyente at mas accessible ang mga serbisyo ng lokal na pamahalaan sa mga mamamayan.

Ayon kay Gapangada, nakatuon ang iSanPablo sa unti-unting digitalisasyon ng iba’t ibang transaksiyon sa City Hall, kabilang ang online application at pagproseso ng mga permit at lisensya, pagbabayad ng lokal na buwis at iba pang bayarin, pagkuha ng mga sertipiko at dokumento, appointment scheduling para sa iba’t ibang tanggapan, pagsubaybay sa status ng mga aplikasyon, at iba pang serbisyong pampubliko na dati ay nangangailangan ng personal na pagpunta sa mga opisina ng pamahalaang lungsod.

Binigyang-diin ng alkalde na ang paggamit ng digital technology ay makatutulong upang mabawasan ang pila, mapabilis ang pagproseso ng mga dokumento, mapataas ang transparency sa pamahalaan, at maging mas maginhawa ang pagkuha ng serbisyo para sa mga San Pableno.

Isa rin sa sentrong paksa ng kanyang talumpati ang patuloy na pagsusulong ng pagtatatag ng San Pablo City Economic Zone, na inaasahang magbibigay ng mas maraming oportunidad sa trabaho at pamumuhunan sa lungsod.

Aniya, hindi dapat manatiling nanonood lamang ang mga San Pableno habang patuloy na umuunlad ang mga karatig na bayan at lungsod. Iginiit niyang panahon na upang magkaroon ang San Pablo ng sariling sentro ng industriya at negosyo upang hindi na mapilitang lumayo ang maraming manggagawang San Pableno para lamang makahanap ng disenteng hanapbuhay.

Nanawagan din si Gapangada ng pagkakaisa sa lahat ng sektor ng lipunan upang maisulong ang patuloy na pag-unlad ng lungsod.

“Bilang isang komunidad, kinakailangan nating magkaisa upang maisakatuparan ang ating mga plano para sa mas maunlad na San Pablo,” diin ng alkalde.

Iniulat din niya ang mga programang ipinatutupad ng kanyang administrasyon sa pagpapalakas ng serbisyong pangkalusugan, pagpapabuti ng kalidad ng edukasyon, pagpapalawak ng mga programang pangkabuhayan para sa mga mamamayan, at pagpapatuloy ng mga inisyatibang pangkalikasan na naglalayong pangalagaan ang likas na yaman ng lungsod.

Naging panauhing pandangal sa SOCA si Jonvic Remulla, Kalihim ng Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Sa kanyang mensahe, ibinahagi ni Remulla ang karanasan ng Cavite bilang isa sa mga pangunahing sentro ng industriya sa CALABARZON. Aniya, ang patuloy na pagdami ng mga pabrika at manufacturing facilities ang naging susi upang maging isa ang lalawigan sa may pinakamalaking populasyon at pinakamalakas na ekonomiya sa rehiyon.

Bilang paglalarawan sa lawak ng manufacturing sector sa Cavite, sinabi ni Remulla, “Sa Cavite, pagpasok ng tela, lalabas ay damit. Pagpasok ng bakal, lalabas ay alambre. Pagpasok ng baboy, lalabas ay hotdog.”

Ayon sa kalihim, malinaw na ipinakikita nito kung paano nakalilikha ng trabaho at halaga ang lokal na industriya sa pamamagitan ng pagproseso ng mga hilaw na materyales tungo sa mga produktong may mas mataas na halaga. Dahil dito, hinikayat niya ang pamahalaang lungsod at iba pang sektor na ipagpatuloy ang pagsusulong ng San Pablo City Economic Zone upang makahikayat ng mga mamumuhunan at makalikha ng mas maraming trabaho para sa mga San Pableno.

Dinaluhan ang kauna-unahang SOCA ng mga pinuno at kawani ng iba’t ibang tanggapan ng pamahalaan, mga halal na opisyal, kung saan lima lamang sa mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Panlungsod ang dumalo, senior citizens, mga organisasyon ng kabataan, civic organizations, mga magsasaka, at iba pang kinatawan ng iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan.

Ang State of the City Address ay nagsisilbing taunang ulat ng alkalde hinggil sa kalagayan ng lungsod, mga nagawa ng administrasyon, at mga pangunahing prayoridad para sa mga susunod na taon. Sa kanyang unang SOCA, inilatag ni Mayor Gapangada ang isang pananaw na nakatuon sa makabagong pamamahala, mas episyenteng serbisyo publiko, paglikha ng trabaho, at sama-samang pagkilos tungo sa isang mas maunlad na San Pablo City.

Iniutos ng Sandiganbayan ang pag-aresto kay Marcoleta at tatlo pa sa kasong plunder

Venus L Peñaflor
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Iniutos ng Sandiganbayan ang pag-aresto kay Marcoleta at tatlo pa sa kasong plunder

MAYNILA – Naglabas ng warrant of arrest ang Third Division ng Sandiganbayan laban kay Sen. Rodante Marcoleta at tatlo pa niyang kapwa akusado kaugnay ng kasong plunder na isinampa ng Office of the Ombudsman dahil sa umano’y hindi pagdedeklara ng P75 milyong campaign donations na natanggap para sa kanyang kandidatura sa 2025 senatorial elections.

Ayon sa ulat, inanunsyo ni Associate Justice Karl Miranda ang kautusan ng korte matapos ibasura ang mga mosyon ni Marcoleta na ipawalang-bisa ang kaso. Kasama sa inutusang arestuhin sina dating Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Michael Defensor at mga negosyanteng sina Joseph Varias Espiritu at Aristotle Baluyut Viray.

Bukod sa kasong plunder, nahaharap din si Marcoleta sa tatlong bilang ng paglabag sa Presidential Decree No. 46, na nagbabawal sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan na tumanggap, direkta man o hindi direkta, ng regalo o anumang benepisyo kaugnay ng kanilang opisyal na tungkulin. Ang tatlo niyang kapwa akusado ay nahaharap naman sa tig-iisang bilang ng parehong paglabag.

Batay sa reklamo ng Office of the Ombudsman, tumanggap umano si Marcoleta ng tatlong cash donations na nagkakahalaga ng kabuuang P75 milyon noong Enero 6, 8, at 9, 2025. Iginiit ng Ombudsman na ang naturang halaga ay hindi idineklara sa kanyang Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) at sa mga campaign finance reports na isinumite sa Commission on Elections. Sinabi rin ng Ombudsman na huli nang nabayaran ang donor’s tax para sa naturang mga donasyon, na ayon sa mga imbestigador ay maaaring indikasyon ng pagtatangkang itago ang transaksyon.

Nauna nang itinanggi ni Marcoleta ang mga paratang at sinabi niyang bahagi lamang ang kaso ng umano’y pagsisikap na patahimikin siya dahil sa kanyang mga posisyon at imbestigasyon sa Senado. Samantala, sinabi rin ni Defensor na haharapin nila ang kaso sa tamang proseso ng batas at iginiit na walang pabor o kapalit na ibinigay kaugnay ng mga donasyong tinutukoy sa reklamo.

Ayon sa batas, ang plunder ay isang non-bailable offense. Nangangahulugan ito na hindi awtomatikong makapagpapiyansa ang mga akusado at kinakailangan muna nilang humiling ng bail sa Sandiganbayan, na magpapasya kung maaari silang pansamantalang makalaya habang nagpapatuloy ang paglilitis.

Nagsimula ngayong araw ang impeachment trial ni VP Sara Duterte sa Senado

DC Alviar
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Nagsimula ngayong araw ang impeachment trial ni VP Sara Duterte sa Senado

MAYNILA – Pormal nang bubuksan ng Senado ngayong Lunes, Hulyo 6, ang impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte, isang makasaysayang paglilitis na maaaring magpasya kung mananatili siya sa kanyang puwesto o tuluyang madidiskuwalipika sa paghawak ng anumang pampublikong posisyon sa hinaharap kung mapapatunayang nagkasala. Ang paglilitis ay inaasahang tatagal ng 92 hearing days at nangangailangan ng boto ng hindi bababa sa 16 sa 24 na senador upang magkaroon ng hatol na pagkakasala.

Nakatakdang magtipon ang Senado bilang impeachment court mamayang alas dos ng hapon, kung saan inatasan si Duterte na humarap nang personal o sa pamamagitan ng kanyang legal na kinatawan, alinsunod sa summons na inilabas ng korte noong nakaraang linggo. Inaasahan ding pormal na ihaharap ng House prosecution panel ang Articles of Impeachment, habang maghahain naman ng kanilang entry of appearance ang kampo ng bise presidente.

Sa unang araw ng paglilitis, inaasahang tututukan muna ng impeachment court ang mga usaping procedural, kabilang ang pagtanggap sa pagharap ng magkabilang panig, pagtatakda ng mga alituntunin ng paglilitis, iskedyul ng paghahain ng mga pleadings, at iba pang paunang legal na usapin. Ayon sa prosecution panel, wala munang ihaharap na testigo o ebidensiya sa pagbubukas ng paglilitis upang matiyak na maayos at malinaw ang magiging proseso ng pagdinig.

Inihain ng House of Representatives ang impeachment complaint laban kay Duterte matapos siyang akusahan ng umano’y maling paggamit ng confidential at intelligence funds, pagkakaroon ng hindi maipaliwanag na yaman, panunuhol, at betrayal of public trust. Kabilang din sa mga alegasyon ang umano’y pagbabanta laban kina Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, at dating House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Mariin namang itinanggi ni Duterte ang lahat ng paratang at iginiit na ang impeachment case ay may motibong pulitikal.

Sa mga susunod na araw ng paglilitis, inaasahang ihaharap ng House prosecution panel bilang mga unang testigo sina Atty. Jeremy Lotoc, regional director ng National Bureau of Investigation sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; John Mark Calilung, senior agent ng NBI Cyber Investigation and Assessment Center; at Capt. Belinda Bello, executive director ng House Legislative Security Bureau. Ang kanilang testimonya ay inaasahang susuporta sa unang artikulo ng impeachment na may kaugnayan sa umano’y grave threat at assassination plot laban sa Pangulo, Unang Ginang, at dating House Speaker.

Hinikayat naman ni Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian ang publiko na subaybayan ang buong proseso upang higit na maunawaan ang impeachment proceedings. Ayon sa kanya, sisikapin ng impeachment court na ipaliwanag sa payak na paraan ang bawat hakbang ng paglilitis upang maging mas madaling maintindihan ng mga mamamayan ang proseso.

Bilang paghahanda sa pagbubukas ng paglilitis, nagtalaga ang Philippine National Police National Capital Region Police Office ng mahigit 6,000 pulis sa paligid ng Senado upang tiyakin ang kaayusan at seguridad habang inaasahan ang pagdalo ng mga tagasuporta at kritiko ng bise presidente.

Ang impeachment trial ni Duterte ang kauna-unahang impeachment trial ng isang nakaupong bise presidente sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Bukod sa magiging epekto nito sa kanyang panunungkulan, inaasahan ding magkakaroon ito ng malaking impluwensiya sa pulitikal na kalagayan ng bansa at sa paghahanda para sa halalan sa 2028.

Bagyong Bavi posibleng pumasok sa PAR bilang Inday, magpapalakas ng habagat sa mga susunod na araw

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Bagyong Bavi posibleng pumasok sa PAR bilang Inday, magpapalakas ng habagat sa mga susunod na araw

MAYNILA – Inaasahang magdadala ng malalakas na hangin, pag-ulan at pag-alon ng karagatan ang Super Typhoon Bavi sa ilang bahagi ng bansa simula Martes, Hulyo 7, kahit nananatili pa itong nasa labas ng Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), ayon sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Sa pinakahuling pagtataya ng PAGASA, inaasahang papasok ang bagyo sa PAR sa Martes ng gabi o Miyerkules at tatawaging Inday. Bagama’t mababa pa rin ang posibilidad na direktang mag-landfall ito sa Pilipinas, maaari itong magdulot ng malalakas na bugso ng hangin at pag-ulan, lalo na sa hilaga at silangang bahagi ng Northern Luzon.

Ayon sa weather bureau, posible ring magtaas ng Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals sa ilang bahagi ng Extreme Northern Luzon habang papalapit ang bagyo sa rehiyon ng Taiwan. Inaasahan ding magiging maalon hanggang sa napakaalon ang karagatan sa silangang baybayin ng Luzon, kaya pinapayuhan ang maliliit na sasakyang pandagat na maging maingat o umiwas muna sa paglalayag kung kinakailangan.

Bukod sa direktang epekto ng bagyo, inaasahan ding palalakasin ng Bavi ang southwest monsoon o habagat. Dahil dito, makararanas ng mahina hanggang katamtaman, at kung minsan ay malakas na pag-ulan ang mga lalawigan sa kanlurang bahagi ng Luzon, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), at SOCCSKSARGEN pagsapit ng Miyerkules hanggang Huwebes.

Sa huling monitoring ng PAGASA, namataan ang Super Typhoon Bavi sa layong mahigit 2,500 kilometro silangan ng timog-silangang Luzon habang kumikilos pahilagang-kanluran. Taglay nito ang napakalalakas na hanging umaabot sa mahigit 200 kilometro bawat oras at mas malalakas pang bugso, dahilan upang manatili itong isa sa pinakamalalakas na bagyo sa Western North Pacific sa kasalukuyan.

Ipinaliwanag ng PAGASA na bagama’t hindi inaasahang tatama nang direkta sa kalupaan ng Pilipinas ang bagyo batay sa kasalukuyang forecast track, maaari pa ring magbago ang galaw at lakas nito habang kumikilos sa karagatan. Dahil dito, hinihikayat ang publiko, lalo na ang mga nasa Northern Luzon at mga lugar na maaapektuhan ng habagat, na patuloy na subaybayan ang mga opisyal na weather bulletin at advisories ng ahensya.

Pinaalalahanan din ng PAGASA ang mga lokal na pamahalaan, mangingisda at mga residente sa mga lugar na madaling bahain at magkaroon ng pagguho ng lupa na magsagawa ng mga kinakailangang paghahanda habang papalapit ang bagyo at lumalakas ang epekto ng habagat.

America marks 250 years of independence amid celebrations, storms and extreme heat

EDGARDO HERNAL
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America marks 250 years of independence amid celebrations, storms and extreme heat

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States marked the 250th anniversary of its independence on Saturday with massive fireworks displays, parades and patriotic celebrations across the country, even as severe thunderstorms and record-breaking heat disrupted events in several states and delayed President Donald Trump’s nationally televised address from the National Mall.

The historic milestone, known as the United States Semiquincentennial, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Millions of Americans participated in festivities ranging from local community gatherings to large-scale celebrations in Washington, New York, Philadelphia and Boston, reflecting on the nation’s history 250 years after its founding.

In the U.S. capital, organizers temporarily evacuated the National Mall after severe thunderstorms approached the area, forcing a delay of several hours before celebrations resumed. Once conditions improved, security screenings reopened and thousands of spectators returned for one of the largest fireworks displays ever staged in Washington. President Trump delivered his address shortly before midnight, praising the country’s achievements and resilience while declaring what he described as a new “golden age of America.”

During his speech, Trump honored military veterans, first responders, Gold Star families and the crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission. He also urged Americans to defend the nation’s founding principles, although parts of his remarks reflected familiar political themes, including criticism of progressive opponents and warnings against communism. Analysts noted that the address blended patriotic messaging with partisan rhetoric, prompting debate over the tone of an event traditionally viewed as a national rather than political celebration.

The Washington celebration featured military flyovers, parachute demonstrations, live entertainment and an expansive fireworks show that organizers said included more than 850,000 pyrotechnic shells, making it one of the largest displays ever attempted in the nation’s capital. The event was conducted under heightened security because of increased threat assessments and recent international tensions.

Elsewhere across the country, extreme weather affected Independence Day events. Nearly 160 million Americans were under heat advisories or excessive heat warnings as temperatures climbed into the triple digits in many areas. Thunderstorms forced cancellations or delays in cities including Hartford, Connecticut; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and parts of the Northeast. In Boston and Philadelphia, spectators were instructed to seek shelter before festivities later resumed, while some fireworks schedules were adjusted to accommodate changing weather conditions.

Despite the disruptions, major celebrations proceeded in many cities. New York City hosted its annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks, while Philadelphia, regarded as the birthplace of American independence, held commemorative events honoring the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Across the country, communities organized concerts, historical reenactments, festivals and parades to celebrate the nation’s 250-year history.

The anniversary is the culmination of years of planning by the bipartisan America250 Commission, established by Congress in 2016, alongside a separate White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday created in 2025. The dual planning efforts have drawn attention over differing visions for the commemoration, with some historians and political observers expressing concern that the celebrations have become increasingly politicized.

The 250th anniversary represents one of the most significant commemorations in modern U.S. history, following the nation’s centennial in 1876, sesquicentennial in 1926 and bicentennial in 1976. Organizers said the year’s events are intended to honor the country’s founding, recognize its diverse history and encourage civic engagement for future generations.

Three Khamenei sons attend funeral as Iran’s new supreme leader remains absent

Venus L Peñaflor
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Three Khamenei sons attend funeral as Iran’s new supreme leader remains absent

TEHRAN, Iran – Three sons of slain former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared publicly during state funeral prayers in Tehran on Sunday, while his successor and son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, remained absent from the highly watched ceremony, drawing renewed attention to his prolonged absence from public view.

Iranian state television showed Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud Khamenei standing in prayer beside the coffins of their father and four other family members at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, one of Tehran’s largest religious complexes. The funeral marked the beginning of a week-long series of ceremonies honoring Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S. and Israeli airstrike on Feb. 28 that triggered a wider regional conflict.

Noticeably absent was Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed Iran’s third Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts in March following his father’s death. Iranian authorities have not provided an official explanation for his absence from the funeral, although people familiar with his inner circle have told Reuters that he sustained serious injuries during the same airstrike and remains under strict security protection. Reports indicate concerns over possible assassination attempts have kept the new leader out of public view.

The funeral prayers were attended by senior political, military and religious leaders, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran, many carrying Iranian flags and portraits of Khamenei while chanting slogans condemning the United States and Israel. Officials presented the ceremony as a demonstration of national unity and resilience following months of war and political upheaval.

The coffins of Khamenei and four members of his family were placed side by side in the vast courtyard of the Grand Mosalla, where mourners filed past to pay their respects. Iranian state media said the funeral ceremonies will continue over several days, with planned processions through the holy city of Qom before the remains are taken to the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq. Khamenei is scheduled to be buried in his hometown of Mashhad near the revered Imam Reza Shrine, concluding nearly a week of national mourning.

Iranian authorities have mobilized extensive security for the funeral events. Earlier this week, military officials warned the United States and Israel against launching any attacks during the ceremonies, saying Iran would respond forcefully to any aggression. The warnings came as tensions remain high despite a fragile ceasefire that ended weeks of fighting between Iran, Israel and the United States.

Mojtaba Khamenei’s continued absence has fueled international speculation about both his health and his ability to consolidate authority following one of the most significant leadership transitions in the Islamic Republic’s history. While Iranian officials have emphasized continuity and stability, analysts say his lack of public appearances has become one of the defining questions surrounding the country’s post-Khamenei leadership.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei served as Iran’s supreme leader for more than three decades after succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. His death during the February airstrike marked one of the most consequential developments in the Middle East in recent years, reshaping Iran’s political leadership and further escalating regional tensions.

Four previously unmapped fault zones identified off western Luzon, UP-led study finds

Venus L Peñaflor
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Four previously unmapped fault zones identified off western Luzon, UP-led study finds

MANILA – Researchers from the University of the Philippines have identified four previously unmapped fault zones beneath the seabed west of Luzon, a discovery that could improve scientists’ understanding of earthquake hazards and strengthen disaster preparedness in the country.

The findings were published in a peer-reviewed study conducted by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman in collaboration with National Central University in Taiwan. The research was also highlighted by the University of the Philippines Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA), which said the newly mapped offshore structures appear to branch from the northern segment of the Philippine Fault Zone (PFZ).

According to the researchers, the discovery offers new insights into how the Philippine Fault Zone extends beneath the sea and interacts with the Manila Trench, one of the country’s major offshore tectonic features capable of generating powerful earthquakes and tsunamis.

Using high-resolution seafloor bathymetry, seismic reflection profiles, and other advanced geophysical imaging techniques, the research team mapped four offshore fault zones that had not previously been identified. The study noted that the full offshore extent of the Philippine Fault Zone, particularly toward northwestern Luzon, has long remained uncertain.

One of the newly identified fault branches appears to connect the Philippine Fault Zone to the Manila Trench. Researchers said the structure may even divide the trench into two segments, providing new evidence of the region’s complex tectonic processes.

The study also found that the Manila Trench changes direction by approximately 35 degrees toward the south. Beneath this area, seismic data revealed signs of a tear within the Earth’s crust. According to the researchers, this deformation may result from two major tectonic interactions occurring simultaneously: the collision of the Palawan Microcontinental Block from the southwest and the influence of the Philippine Rise from the northeast.

The researchers emphasized that the discovery does not indicate that a major earthquake is imminent. Instead, the newly mapped fault zones provide scientists with a better understanding of where stress may accumulate beneath the Earth’s surface, helping improve seismic hazard assessments and future earthquake risk studies.

“These newly mapped faults and the tearing of the Earth’s crust can help explain how and where large earthquakes may happen in the future,” the researchers said in the UP OVPAA release. “By identifying these geologic structures, we can better understand the complex forces shaping Luzon and improve hazard assessments and earthquake preparedness.”

The Philippine Fault Zone is one of the country’s largest active fault systems, stretching for more than 1,200 kilometers from northern Luzon to eastern Mindanao. Together with the Manila Trench and the Philippine Trench, it forms part of the complex network of active faults and subduction zones created by the interaction of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries. Thousands of earthquakes are recorded annually, although most are too weak to be felt. Geological studies such as the latest UP-led research play a critical role in refining hazard maps, supporting infrastructure planning, and strengthening disaster risk reduction efforts.

The findings underscore the importance of continued investment in geologic research and seismic monitoring as government agencies and scientists work to improve the country’s resilience against future earthquakes and other tectonic hazards.

Sources: University of the Philippines Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs; peer-reviewed research by the University of the Philippines Diliman and National Central University (Taiwan); Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

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