INC airs support for Marcoleta, hits ‘selective justice’

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 9010 days ago

During an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally along Edsa in Manila on June 30, 2026, several individuals were arrested after tensions escalated between rally participants and law enforcement. The arrests occurred amid confrontations, with some protesters reportedly punching police officers. As of 9 a.m., at least three people had been detained, though authorities have not yet disclosed the total number of arrests or the specific charges. The rally was organized by INC to demand transparency, accountability, justice, and peace, following the announcement by the Ombudsman that it would file a non-bailable plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan. The situation remains under development.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a protest related to a high-profile legal action against a senator, which is inherently politically charged. However, the reporting appears balanced, presenting facts without overtly favoring either side. It includes details about the incident, the context of the rally, and aÂ

Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 90): Facts align with the primary source on the expectation of senator participation in the impeachment trial. Objectivity is high with neutral reporting.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentConservativeFactual 90Objective 859 days ago

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), a religious organization, expressed opposition to plunder charges against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, accusing the legal process of being 'selective justice.' The charges stem from Marcoleta's failure to declare P75 million in campaign contributions. The INC claims Marcoleta previously investigated misuse of public funds related to flood control projects and continued advocating for transparency despite being removed from his leadership role. The Ombudsman announced plans to file a plunder case against Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan, which the INC argues aims to prevent him from participating in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Marcoleta himself suggested the charges could hinder his involvement in the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the charges against Marcoleta as an attempt at 'selective justice' and portrays the legal action as politically motivated, aligning with conservative narratives that often criticize judicial processes as biased against certain political figures. The emphasis on Marcoleta's past反腐（

Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): Facts align closely with the primary source, detailing the prosecution's strategy and outcomes. Objectivity is preserved with balanced reporting.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8510 days ago

The Office of the Ombudsman in the Philippines has rejected the Department of Justice's (DOJ) recommendation regarding a flood control-related case against Senator Joel Villanueva. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that the DOJ's case buildup was 'lacking' and that his office would conduct its own preliminary investigation before considering filing a case in the Sandiganbayan. This decision follows previous claims that the case was 'ripe' for prosecution. Former DPWH officials have alleged that Villanueva manipulated funding allocations for flood control projects in Bulacan, with specific accusations involving P600 million. Villanueva has denied these allegations. Additionally, Senator Leila de Lima (Escudero) is also under investigation for similar allegations, based on testimony from former DPWH officials.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the Ombudsman's rejection of the DOJ's recommendation and the allegations against Villanueva and Escudero, without overtly favoring either side. It includes quotes from multiple officials and reports on ongoing investigations, suggesting a balanced approach. There is no明显的左

Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): Accurate with details about the rally's second day and participant numbers. Slightly biased in describing the protest as 'choking' Edsa.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8518 days ago

Vice President Sara Duterte faces an impeachment trial over allegations including misuse of secret funds, bribery, amassing unexplained wealth, and plotting assassinations of high-profile figures. The trial, set to begin on July 6, has drawn significant public interest, with many Filipinos awaiting her response to the charges. Public prosecutor and Akbayan Representative Chel Diokno emphasized that the trial should be judged based on evidence and not political considerations, urging Senate members to remain impartial. Duterte's legal team has focused on procedural aspects of the case rather than providing a direct defense, while the prosecution works to prepare the trial's structure.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, quoting both the accused and the prosecutor, without overtly favoring either side. It emphasizes the need for impartiality in the trial and provides balanced context about the charges and the process.

Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): Accurately reflects statements from Diokno and the allegations against Duterte. Maintains neutrality in presenting perspectives without overt bias.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 87Objective 8018 days ago

Filipino lawmakers are urging Vice President Sara Duterte to publicly address the impeachment charges brought against her by the House of Representatives. The charges include allegations of corruption, misuse of public funds, constitutional violations, and threats against high-profile figures. The impeachment process has moved to the Senate, where the trial is expected to begin on July 6. While Duterte's legal team has denied the allegations, she has not yet directly responded to them. Lawmakers argue that her personal appearance during the trial would allow her to defend herself and potentially strengthen her support base.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, quoting multiple lawmakers and outlining the charges and procedural steps without overtly favoring any side. It does not use biased language or selectively omit perspectives.

Why these scores (Factual 87 · Objective 80): Accurate information on Escudero's potential role. Objectivity is slightly skewed by the critical stance towards his credibility.

RapplerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 9010 days ago

Senator Rodante Marcoleta is under investigation by the Ombudsman for potential charges of plunder related to campaign donations he received for his 2025 election campaign, which totaled P75 million. The allegations stem from concerns that these donations may have violated campaign finance laws. Protests in support of Marcoleta, organized by the Iglesia ni Cristo, included signs stating 'Private campaign donation, not plunder,' defending his actions. The investigation is based on the Ombudsman's authority to probe cases involving misuse of public funds or illegal campaign financing. The situation highlights ongoing debates around electoral transparency and the legal boundaries of campaign funding in the Philippines.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the facts of the investigation against Senator Marcoleta without overtly favoring either side. It provides context about the nature of the allegations, mentions the protests in his defense, and references the Ombudsman's role without editorializing or using biased language. The

Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 90): The article outlines the structure of the impeachment trial and the charges against Duterte. It remains factual and neutral in its presentation.

RapplerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 859 days ago

This article provides a roundup of several news stories from the Philippines. One story reports that members of the Iglesia ni Cristo held a surprise rally in Quezon City to support Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who is under investigation for alleged plunder and faces potential arrest. Another story mentions that Vice President Sara Duterte's campaign is open to opening her tax documents in a confidential session. A third story notes a confirmed case of mpox in Mandaluyong City, with assurances from the Department of Health that there is no outbreak. Additionally, the article states that minimum wage workers in Metro Manila will receive a historic P85 daily pay increase. Lastly, it mentions that the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center has blocked the video game 'GoreBox' on Steam and Google Play Store.

Bias read (Center): The article presents multiple news items with varying degrees of political charge. While the story about Senator Marcoleta and the Iglesia ni Cristo rally involves political controversy, the article does not take a clear ideological stance. It also covers other topics such as tax transparency, a new

Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 85): Accurate and objective, confirming the public attendance details as per the primary source. Balanced reporting on the allocation of seats and visitor management.

GMA News OnlineIndependentCenterFactual 80Objective 7013 days ago

Sara Duterte, the daughter of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, responded to impeachment articles against her by citing free speech protections and the lack of sufficient evidence. The impeachment proceedings were initiated due to allegations related to her alleged involvement in corruption and abuse of power. In her response, she emphasized constitutional rights and questioned the validity of the charges brought against her. The situation highlights ongoing political tensions within the Duterte administration and raises questions about accountability and legal procedures in Philippine politics.

Bias read (Center): The article presents Sara Duterte's response to impeachment articles without overtly endorsing or criticizing her position. It focuses on the legal and procedural aspects of the impeachment process rather than taking a clear ideological stance. While the subject is politically charged, the framing—f

Why these scores (Factual 80 · Objective 70): Contains some factual elements but lacks specific details from the primary source. Uses emotive language suggesting bias towards the defense.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentProgressiveFactual 75Objective 7010 days ago

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), a major Christian denomination in the Philippines, publicly expressed support for Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who faces potential charges of plunder related to a P75 million campaign donation case. The INC criticized what it called 'selective justice,' suggesting that Marcoleta—who previously investigated corruption cases—is now being targeted while others implicated in alleged wrongdoing remain untouched. The church emphasized that Marcoleta's actions were aimed at exposing corruption and argued that the charges against him could hinder his ongoing investigations. The Ombudsman's office plans to file a non-bailable plunder case against Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan court. The INC also pointed out that the Commission on Elections ruled no crime was committed in Marcoleta's acceptance of campaign donations.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation as a critique of 'selective justice' and highlights the religious group's defense of Marcoleta, implying systemic bias against him. It emphasizes the perceived unfairness of targeting Marcoleta while others involved in alleged corruption remain uncharged, aligning it

Why these scores (Factual 75 · Objective 70): Provides factual information about PNP readiness. Reports on the legal developments objectively without apparent bias toward either side.