'Ipagtatanggol ko': Imee Marcos vows to defend family and their name

Without pertaining to anyone in particular, Sen. Imee Marcos said that she will not let anyone ruin their name which has been through a lot for the past 36 years. 

Marcos made the statement in a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 31 when asked if she was allied with the Dutertes or the Marcoses.

"Why should I be required to make a choice? Mahal ko silang lahat ang ayoko yung nakakasira ng aming pangalan. So, ipagtatanggol ko (I love them all but what I don't want is ruining our name. So I will defend it)," she said.

She considers their chance to serve in the government a blessing and a second chance for their family, and she will not allow whoever to destroy their name. 

The presidential sister was also asked about the status of the Uniteam which she believes already has a crack in its unity.

"Sa palagay ko, ang uniteam eh talagang may tama na, may lamat na ang pagkakaisa pero sa palagay ko yung mga principal hindi naman magulo eh (I think Uniteam already has a crack in its unity but I think the principals are not in disarray)," she said.

"Yung magulo yung mga amuyong dyan sa tabi tabi, mga demonyo't ahas sa laylayan ng Palasyo. Eh talagang ah mahirap dyan (The ones who are disruptive are these demons and snakes on the fringes of the Palace. It's really difficult there)," she added.

The senator and her cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez had verbal tussel due to the recent push for People's Initiative (PI) to amend the Constitution. Reporters have reached senators that the lower chamber was allegedly pulling the strings behind the move. 

Marcos is also leading a Senate investigation into PI. The second hearing will be conducted on Friday, Feb. 2 in Davao. 

Former president Rodrigo Duterte recently expressed disappointment in the current administration. Duterte, Father of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, called on the people to reject plans to amend the Constitution through the People’s Initiative.

The former Chief Executive also said that during his presidency,  he found Marcos’ name on the watchlist of personalities, government officials, and employees involved in illegal drugs.
 
Even Mayor Basta Duterte had strong words against the President and called for his resignation during the Hakbang ng Maisug Forum at Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City on Sunday, January 28.

But Senator Marcos said that Mayor Duterte approached her and apologized for what he said which the presidential sister said she understood.

In the latest tirade against the President, the elder Durterte dared the President to undergo a drug test.