Senator Imee Marcos said on Sunday she is uncertain whether she is still part of the administration’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial ticket, following her non-inclusion in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s endorsement speech during a campaign rally in Laguna on March 23.
While both Imee and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar were absent from the rally, Villar was still mentioned by the president, unlike in two consecutive sorties where the presidential sister was left out.
In an interview after attending a cooperative assembly in Pasig City, Imee said she has not spoken with her brother about the matter. “Hindi ko alam, hindi ko pa tinatanong, hindi naman kami nag-uusap. Ang totoo okay lang,” she said.
She emphasized that her priority is her Senate investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying it’s a more urgent concern than campaign politics.
“Nakatutok ako doon dahil nakataya ‘yung soberanya ng ating bansa… mas mahalaga ‘yun at mas nakakakaba kaysa sa eleksyon, kampanya, pulitika,” she added.
Marcos also confirmed that Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, the campaign manager of the administration slate, has not reached out to her. Tiangco previously said there were no discussions about dropping Imee or Villar from the Alyansa slate.
While clarifying she has not officially withdrawn from the ticket, Imee reiterated her independence. “No, no action taken. Simula’t sapul sinabi ko naman na independent ako. Kasi parang may kutob ako na may masamang mangyayari at ayoko mahila sa away-away,” she said.
Asked how she would feel if officially removed from the slate, she responded, “Eh okay lang, okay lang. Wala na sa isipan ko kasi yan.”
On whether she would seek Vice President Sara Duterte’s endorsement, Imee explained that her hearing on Duterte’s arrest is not politically motivated.
“Ang batas ay dapat mangibabaw sa lahat… kung may mali, ay mali. At ang tama ay tama. Sorry na lang kung sinong tatamaan,” she said.
Addressing criticism of the Senate probe, Marcos questioned why it’s being labeled as anti-administration.
“Talagang nagbukas ako ng hearing upang malaman ano talaga ‘yung nangyari kasi nasa napakaemosyonal na estado ang buong bansa,” she added.
