Abbey M.

Senator Imee Marcos has strongly denied circulating claims that she orchestrated an alleged power struggle in the Senate.

In an official statement, the senator said the entire minority bloc can attest that she was the last to know about plans to replace the Senate President.

According to the presidential sister, disputes and disagreements don't matter much to her as long as they're for the right reasons.

She added that when she was given the Committee on Foreign Relations despite not being part of the majority, she was deeply grateful to then-Senate President Tito Sotto.

The senator also said that because she is a critic of her brother's administration, she no longer expects any support whatsoever in any actions within the Senate.

With reports from Joan Nano.

House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson and Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon is hoping that Ramil Madriaga will reveal the identities of Mary Grace Piattos and other recipients of Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential funds.

Madriaga is the alleged former bagman of the Vice President and has accused VP Duterte of using money from drug dealers and POGOs for her 2022 election campaign.

Rep. Ridon emphasized that if Madriaga knows about the bogus names, it's time to disclose this information to bring clarity to the controversy, especially since Vice President Duterte is not addressing the issue.

Madriaga is reportedly ready to appear in any investigation if summoned by Congress, the Senate, or even the Office of the Ombudsman.

Madriaga's lawyer Atty. Raymund Palad said that his client knows he can be summoned to Congress, the Senate, or the Ombudsman since he executed an affidavit. He added that Madriaga is willing to appear as long as he receives a subpoena or is summoned.

"Alam niya the fact na nag-execute siya ng affidavit, puwede siyang ipatawag sa Kongreso, sa Senado o sa Ombudsman. So yung willingness niya, yes. Basta maka-receive siya ng subpoena o ipatawag, mag-a-appear po siya." 

(He knows the fact that he executed an affidavit, he can be summoned to Congress, the Senate or the Ombudsman. So his willingness, yes. As long as he receives a subpoena or is summoned, he will appear.)

With reports from Rosalie Coz.

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."]

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍