Context Dispatch

State weather bureau PAGASA on Wednesday warned that Super Typhoon Inday could still unleash heavy rains, destructive winds, and dangerous sea conditions even if current forecasts show it is unlikely to make landfall. "The track may still shift within the limit of the forecast confidence cone,” said PAGASA, cautioning against complacency as the cyclone approaches extreme Northern Luzon on Friday before tracking toward Taiwan. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered local governments to carry out preemptive evacuations to reduce risks to vulnerable communities. Inday was packing sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour, gusts of up to 240 kph, and moving west northwest at 20 kph. PAGASA also expects the typhoon to raise water levels in Luzon dams by about one meter, although the increase will not be enough to significantly ease the region's water supply constraints.

The US launched military strikes against Iran on Tuesday after accusing Tehran of attacking three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the Middle East. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were intended "to impose heavy costs" on Iran for targeting civilian-crewed commercial shipping in international waters, calling the attacks "a clear violation of the ceasefire." Earlier, the US Treasury Department barred new sales of Iranian oil after July 7, tightening sanctions. The twin developments sent global oil prices higher amid fears of renewed disruption to shipping through the critical energy corridor.

The Senate impeachment court on Monday elected Senator Francis Escudero as presiding officer in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, prevailing in a 12-4 vote despite objections that the move could face constitutional scrutiny. Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano argued that the 1987 Constitution requires the Senate President, now Senator Win Gatchalian, a non-lawyer, preside over impeachment trials except when the President is the respondent. The siblings warned that naming another senator could invite legal challenges, noting that a petition questioning the designation of a presiding officer has already been filed before the Supreme Court by Alan Peter Cayetano.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta surrendered to the Sandiganbayan on Monday and is now under police custody after the anti-graft court issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a non-bailable plunder case over the alleged nondisclosure of P75 million in campaign contributions. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla personally supervised the warrant's implementation at the court. Former congressman Mike Defensor and two businessmen named as co-accused have yet to be arrested. The case marks a major escalation in one of the country's highest-profile corruption cases, with the Sandiganbayan finding probable cause to proceed with the charges while Marcoleta continues to enjoy the presumption of innocence.

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on Monday issued arrest warrants against Senator Rodante Marcoleta, former Congressman Mike Defensor, and two others just days after the Ombudsman filed plunder complaint over P75 million in unreported campaign contributions. Plunder is a non-bailable crime, which could rob Marcoleta of participation in the impeachment trial of his ally, Vice President Sara Duterte, which starts late Monday. The Ombudsman had also charged the four of alleged violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts. The court also issued a Hold Departure Order against the four.