Government workers and students in the cities of Manila and Pasay are up for a long weekend after Malacañang declared the suspension of work in government offices and classes at all levels in the said cities on Monday, Jan. 13, for the Iglesia Ni Cristo's (INC) "National Rally for Peace."

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Memorandum Circular No. 76 on Friday, Jan. 10, declaring the suspension, which aims to accommodate the large number of participants expected to travel to and within these cities for the event.

However, agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, disaster preparedness/response, and those responsible for vital services are exempt from the suspension to ensure public safety and well-being are not compromised.

The suspension of work in private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads.

This INC's upcoming rally aims to showcase its commitment to peace and unity in the country. The rally is part of a broader initiative to promote harmony and support President Marcos' stance against the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Calls for the Vice President's impeachment came after her public declaration that she had contracted someone to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez should someone murder her.

Since the start of their tandem falling out early last year, President Marcos, for the first time, hit back at Duterte, saying things would not have gone sour if she had cooperated during the budget hearings.

He said the Vice President should be made accountable for her statements, as any assassination attempt against the President also raises concerns about the security of the nation and its citizens.

Despite this, the President said he did not want Congress to pursue impeachment complaints against the Vice President as it would just be a waste of time. He said Duterte was "unimportant" and trying to impeach her would just distract the government from serving Filipinos.

"What will happen if somebody files an impeachment? It will tie down the House, it will tie down the Senate," he said.

"It will just take up all our time and for what? For nothing, for nothing. None of this will help improve a single Filipino life," he added.