Imee Marcos officially leaves admin’s senatorial slate due to Duterte’s arrest

Presidential sister and reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos announced Wednesday that she is officially leaving President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s senatorial ticket.

In her statement, Imee cited the actions of the administration during the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte which are different from her ideals and principles. 

“[C]learly there were actions taken by the administration which run counter to my ideals and principles. Thus, I cannot stand on the same campaign platform as the rest of the Alyansa. As I have stated from the outset of the election period, I will continue to maintain my independence,” the senator said in a statement. 

“Over and above political advantage, the sovereignty of the country and the interest of true justice for every Filipino must remain paramount,” she added. 

Imee mentioned the recent statements of government officials during the Senate foreign relations committee’s investigation into Duterte’s arrest which she led. 

“By repeatedly invoking executive privilege and the sub judice rule during the Senate's hearing last week, the government witnesses appeared to be hiding essential facts,” she said. 

“Beyond their constant narrative that the Philippines was simply complying with its international commitments, a deliberate effort to obscure the truth only gave rise to ever greater suspicion that the Constitution may have been disregarded and our sovereignty diminished by the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” she added. 

Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ campaign manager, said they respect the senator's decision.

"We respect Senator Imee’s decision. We wish her luck in the campaign," he said.

Both in Cavite and Laguna, President Marcos did not mention his sister in his endorsement speech. 

During the Laguna sortie, the President asked the attendees to support the 11 senatorial candidates of Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas instead of 12, omitting Imee.

Tiangco earlier denied any discussion of dropping Imee from the slate amid her pronouncements. —AOL, GMA Integrated News

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