MANILA, Philippines – On June 30, members of the religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) massed in parts of Metro Manila in support of embattled Senator Rodante Marcoleta. The rally temporarily closed White Plains Avenue in Quezon City, along EDSA, due to heavy traffic buildup. Police authorities estimated the crowd at 12,000 at its peak.
Marcoleta, an INC member, is facing a plunder complaint before the Ombudsman amid questions about his campaign donations.
On July 3, the Office of the Ombudsman filed a non-bailable plunder case with the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan against Marcoleta due to questions about his P75-million campaign donations. Aside from plunder, Marcoleta is also charged with three counts of alleged violation of Presidential Decree No. 46 (receiving gifts).
At the Senate, a public hearing on July 1 examined how online extremist networks recruit vulnerable young people following the fatal Tacloban school shooting, with experts describing a multistage grooming process that extends far beyond violent video games and into encrypted messaging platforms and online communities.
Experts tell senators that online grooming networks, not games alone, drive nihilistic violent extremism, as lawmakers consider new safeguards for children.
