Imee won’t let anyone squander Marcoses’ redemption

MANILA, Philippines —  Saying her family has suffered enough for decades, Sen. Imee Marcos said she would never let anyone – including her cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez – spoil her family’s redemption through his “deceptive” way of pushing for Charter change.

In an interview over ANC, Marcos dismissed claims that her word war with Romualdez over the latest Charter change move was just a “family squabble.”

“This is no mere family squabble. We’re talking about the Republic and the Constitution, and the heart and soul of democracy here in our country,” Marcos said.

She accused her cousin of squandering their family’s chances of redemption after the people power revolt that chased them into exile in February 1986.

Marcos said she finds it “ironic” that she is defending the “vindictive” 1987 Constitution that was crafted after the downfall of her father.

“Whoever is pushing for this – whether a blood relative or not – I would oppose it,” Marcos said.

The senator, in the interview, recalled her family’s struggles after her father’s ouster and their exile to Hawaii.

Now that her brother – and their father’s namesake – is in Malacañang, the senator and older sister to the President said she would not allow their family’s second chance to go to waste.

“We are the most fortunate family on earth. We really fought hard for this second chance 36 years since we were exiled. Perhaps this is the last chance for my family to redeem itself,” Marcos said. “Family ties no longer have anything to do with this.”

Marcos on Tuesday led the Senate electoral reforms committee inquiry into allegations of irregularity in the latest push by the People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) to gather public support – through signature drive – for Congress to convene as a constituent assembly or con-ass. The con-ass envisioned by congressmen would have Congress voting jointly on proposed amendments. The Senate opposed the joint vote, as it would certainly dissolve its 24 member-votes.

At the hearing, Marcos presented pictures of a meeting at the Speaker’s house with PIRMA officials, to prove that her cousin bankrolled the campaign and mobilized lawmakers to gather