Imee opts out of administration’s senatorial slate

MANILA, Philippines — It’s final: Sen. Imee Marcos will not run under the political alliance of her brother President Marcos’ senatorial slate in next year’s midterm elections.

While grateful to be picked for inclusion in the administration Senate slate, the senator said she would rather campaign alone for her reelection bid, but admitted that it was a sacrifice for her to do so.

She added that she prefers to be free to talk to all parties and not be tied to a single alliance.

The administration coalition remains supportive of Senator Marcos even if she has decided to seek reelection as an independent candidate, the President said yesterday.

Imee, the eldest sister of the President, was one of 12 candidates in the senatorial slate unveiled by the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas last Thursday.

Just two days after the revelation of the administration-backed senatorial ticket, Imee announced that she is running as an independent candidate to avoid placing her younger brother in a difficult situation and to prevent her true friends from harboring doubts.

The senator also thanked the President for defending her and including her in the alliance despite the “anger” and “cruelty” of some people she did not name.

“It’s really a sacrifice to stand alone, but it is necessary to be independent and strong, and here it is. Many people used to say that I was sailing on two rivers. What I want is for me to be the road where all the rivers meet… It’s a tremendous sacrifice to stand alone. But I need to be free to cross the line, to talk to all parties and to get things done. UniTeam was a dream that I shared in 2022, and I hold fast to that dream of unity for all Filipinos,” the senator said.

“That’s why it’s my first time to do this, I somehow expect that perhaps, I’ll be invited and if I’ll be asked to come, why wouldn’t I? There is no problem with that. The only thing I fear is the heat of the election. We know that becomes cruel. Sometimes, what is said hurts. I can’t take it anymore, so it’s better to stay away and be independent, even if it’s very difficult,” she added.

The senator maintained that her decision to take no political side was really meant to protect her