Palace: Marcos has no rift with Imee

MANILA, Philippines — Although his policies are criticized by his sister Sen. Imee Marcos who eventually left his senatorial slate, President Marcos appears unperturbed and has shown no antagonism toward her, Malacañang said yesterday.

“As we can see from the statements of Sen. Imee Marcos, it seems like there is (a rift). But on the part of the President, we cannot say that there’s a rift in the relationship of the two siblings. So let us wait if the President will say something about this,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing when asked if there is animosity between the siblings.

“But based on the attitude of the President, he is not a spoilsport. Regardless of the criticism, even if you saw Sen. Imee Marcos in the Maisug rally while former president Duterte is defaming PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos), we did not hear anything. We also have not heard that the President harbors an ill feeling, if there is any, toward his sister,” she added.

She also said Imee may have been right about leaving the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, as she does not share its causes anyway, Castro also said.

Imee, who has been critical of the Marcos administration, announced her departure from the Alyansa last Wednesday, saying the administration has undertaken actions that run counter to her ideals and principles.

Her withdrawal as a senatorial candidate of the Alyansa came after she was not mentioned in her brother’s speeches during campaign rallies in Cavite and Laguna.

“If her (Imee) beliefs are not aligned with the beliefs of the Alyansa, perhaps it would really be better if she leaves because if she does not believe in the programs of the Alyansa, they would not have a good relationship,” Castro said.

Probe ignored

Castro said nothing was heard from the President when Imee launched a probe on Duterte’s arrest. She declined to comment when asked whether the Marcos administration considers Imee’s departure as a loss for Alyansa.

In a statement, Imee claimed there is a “deliberate” effort by the administration to obscure the truth about the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, now awaiting trial in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his drug war.

She said she could not stand on the same campaign platform as the rest of the Alyansa because some of the actions of the administration were detestable.

“As I have stated from the outset of the election period, I will continue to maintain my independence. Over and above political advantage, the sovereignty of the country and the interest of true justice for every Filipino must remain paramount,” the senator said.

At a Senate hearing last week, Imee claimed that the Philippines has become a province of The Hague with Duterte’s being turned over to the International Criminal Court.

“We are not in talking terms because there are some people blocking us,” Imee said of her relationship with her younger brother.

She conceded that her decision may just be “political suicide.” But when asked if she would be willing to lose just to support Duterte, Marcos said: “I will not lose. Is there a candidate who wants to lose? Of course all candidates want to win.

“This goes beyond Marcos or Duterte. This is about the country’s sovereignty. There are more important things than politics or winning the elections,” Marcos said, echoing her stance that the Philippine government’s cooperation with the ICC through Interpol was a breach of the country’s sovereignty.

She denied spearheading an investigation on Duterte’s arrest just to promote her reelection bid.

“I did not launch an investigation just to campaign. My family name is famous – and intimidating – enough,” she said.

Out of ‘Magic 12’

Marcos is still out of the winning “Magic 12” circle, according to the Stratbase-Social Weather Stations March 15-20 survey. She slipped to 16th place from 14th last month.

Stratbase Group founder Victor Andres Manhit said her ranking is expected to further go down because of her decision to sever her ties with the Alyansa.

“The problem with Sen. Imee Marcos is that her support base is really the Marcoses. Her sudden positioning to the Dutertes really confused us, the general public,” Manhit said in an interview with “Storycon” on One News. — Bella Cariaso, Marc Jayson Cayabyab