Abbey M.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed relief after impeachment complaints filed against him were dismissed, saying the House of Representatives should be left to do its work regarding impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.

"I'm glad that, of course, I'm glad that the impeachment complaints against me have been finished," President Marcos said.

The President welcomed the House Justice Panel's declaration that the impeachment complaints filed against him were insufficient in substance.

According to Marcos, the complaints were merely distractions from his work.

"I'm happy it's done and we can get on with our work, you know. Because these things are distractions from the things that we were doing," the President said.

The impeachment complaints accused Marcos of graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust.

The President said he knew from the start that the impeachment complaints had no solid basis and were simply political moves.

Marcos declined to comment on the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the matter should be left to the House of Representatives to handle.

"I have no reaction. That's not my job, it's the House's job. Let them do their work. I'm sure they will handle it properly. So, let them do their jobs," Marcos said.

["I have no reaction. Hindi ko trabaho ‘yan, trabaho ng House. Pabayaan mo sila magtrabaho. I’m sure they will handle it properly. So, let them do their jobs."]

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An oath-taking ceremony was held today for newly promoted teachers and school leaders in the National Capital Region, following the administration's program to fast-track the long-delayed career progression in the education sector.

More than 2,000 teachers and school heads from the National Capital Region took their oath as a mark of their job promotion in the presence of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara. A total of 2,915 public school educators participated in the ceremony held today, coming from various areas across the National Capital Region.

This move is part of the administration's program to accelerate the long-stalled career progression in the country's education sector.

According to Secretary Angara, this is among the reforms at the Department of Education where the process was fast-tracked to resolve promotion backlogs in various school divisions in the NCR.

Through DepEd's Expanded Career Progression Program, qualified educators were given the opportunity to advance in position based on merit and readiness, not just on the availability of vacant plantilla positions.

President Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to transforming the teaching profession into a career with clear advancement opportunities.

"As I said in my third State of the Nation Address, no public school teacher should retire as Teacher 1 anymore. We will expand educators' career path through strategic reclassification. By creating more high-level positions, we can see educators move up based on merit and open new positions to new graduates. Your promotion will be a doorway to a better life for you and your family," President Marcos said.

The President added that his administration will continue providing support to teachers who guide the youth and assist the government in its various functions.

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Philippine Ambassador to the United States Babes Romualdez revealed that US President Donald Trump sent a letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inviting the Philippines to become part of the Board of Peace.

The Board of Peace is a US-initiated multinational body that promotes post-conflict solutions.

According to Romualdez, the Philippines could contribute through human resources or financial contributions.

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Former President Rodrigo Duterte's lawyers insisted that the former president is in an "enfeebled physical state" as they appealed the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to keep him detained while awaiting trial.

The defense team argued that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber erred in upholding its decision to keep Duterte imprisoned and in rejecting the joint medical report regarding his cognitive impairments.

According to the report, Duterte no longer has the capacity to plan his daily activities. His lawyers contend he is even less capable of planning an escape from his captors.

Duterte's attorneys also said the Pre-Trial Chamber treated the defense's medical evidence capriciously.

The Pre-Trial Chamber previously denied Duterte's camp's request for his release while the trial remains pending on his murder charges equivalent to crimes against humanity due to the killings under his administration's war on drugs.

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A growing number of Gen Z individuals are opting to become pet parents rather than have children, citing financial constraints and evolving lifestyle preferences.

According to a 2023 USA Today Blueprint survey of 1,000 dog owners, 67% of people ages 18 to 26 say they are choosing pets over parenthood, at least for now. A separate 2023 Pew Research study found that among Americans aged 18 to 49 who are unlikely to have children, 36% cite affordability as a major reason.

The rising cost of raising children has become a significant factor in this shift. From education and healthcare to housing and daily necessities, the expenses associated with parenthood continue to climb, making it increasingly difficult for young Filipino adults to afford starting a family. 

With inflation, high rent in Metro Manila and other urban centers, and entry-level salaries barely keeping pace, many find traditional family planning out of reach.

Pet ownership, by comparison, offers a more financially manageable alternative. While pets still require care, food, and medical attention, the overall costs remain substantially lower than raising a child. 

This affordability appeals to Gen Z Filipinos who face economic pressures including student loan debt, rising living costs, and uncertain job markets.

Beyond financial considerations, the lifestyle flexibility that comes with pet ownership aligns better with Gen Z values. 

Pets provide companionship and emotional support without the long-term commitments and lifestyle changes that come with raising children. Young adults can maintain their careers, travel plans, and personal freedom while still experiencing the joys of caring for another living being.

The trend also reflects changing attitudes about traditional life milestones. Filipino Gen Z is redefining what family means, with many finding fulfillment in relationships with their pets rather than following conventional paths to parenthood. 

This shift challenges traditional Filipino family values where having children has long been seen as essential.

Social media has amplified this shift, with countless Filipino Gen Z pet owners sharing their experiences and creating communities around pet parenthood. The emotional bonds formed with pets offer many of the same rewards as traditional parenthood: companionship, responsibility, and unconditional love, without the financial strain.

As economic realities continue to shape life choices, the preference for pet parenthood among Filipino Gen Z appears to be more than just a trend but a reflection of broader societal and financial changes affecting young adults today.