Imee, ‘macho bloc’ in Senate file COC

MANILA, Philippines — After withdrawing from the administration’s Senate slate, reelectionist Sen. Imee Marcos yesterday filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the May 2025 midterm elections.

Marcos was accompanied by her mother, former first lady Imelda, and her sons Borgy and Michael when she arrived at the Manila Hotel to submit her COC to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The members of the so-called macho bloc in the Senate led by former senator Tito Sotto also filed their COCs for senator yesterday.

Sotto and two other bloc members – former senator Panfilo Lacson and reelectionist Lito Lapid – submitted their respective COCs to the poll body.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia welcomed Marcos upon her arrival at the filing venue. She was the 19th senatorial aspirant to officially file the COC since the start of the filing on Tuesday.

According to Marcos, she will be running under her old political party the Nacionalista and will be mounting a nationwide campaign on her own.

“I will not constitute the administration alliance to allow me to work together with every sector, to be able to cross the line and get things done,” she told reporters.

“The elections will be bloody, fiery and fierce. It’s better if I don’t have competitors,” she added.

The senator said she discussed her decision with her brother, President Marcos, who assured her that he would still be supporting her candidacy.

She added that Imelda is excited and praying for her senatorial bid.

However, Marcos said there is still no discussion and has not asked her friend, Vice President Sara Duterte, to openly endorse her candidacy.

Marcos said she decided not to join any coalition so she could help all sectors.

She also downplayed the results of a recent survey showing her in the bottom 12 in the senatorial race.

Former Senate president Sotto meanwhile was accompanied by his wife Helen and two children – Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian and actress Ciara.

According to Sotto, he decided to return to the Senate so he could push his previous bills that were unacted upon, such as the government rightsizing and the measure granting 14th month pay to workers.

If given the chance to make a Senate