CARMEN, North Cotabato – Sen. Imee Marcos expressed sadness over the conflict within the Uniteam, the political coalition of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, in the 2022 elections.
SEN. Imee Marcos speaks before the media, with North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou 'Lala' Taliño-Mendoza and daughter Rep. Maria Alana Samantha Taliño-Santos, in a press conference at the Carmen Municipal Hall on Sunday, March 24. (Ivy Tejano)
“I am saddened by the issues within Uniteam. It is falling apart, facing criticism. But, the principal, President Bongbong and Vice President Sara, work well together. I’m sad that the unity is breaking down,” Marcos said in a press conference on March 24 at the Carmen Municipal Hall.
Marcos is the Senate finance sub-committee head in charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The senator distributed cash aid to 5,000 beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the DSWD in the province.
The senator said she is hoping that the Uniteam, with a solid North and a solid South, will continue and that everyone would not have to think about anything else but the progress of the country, such as how to improve Cotabato provinces and how to increase the income of farmers.
Just recently, former President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that the President is addicted to a certain drug. His son, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, strongly criticized Marcos and demanded his resignation during a leaders’ forum against the People’s Initiative in Davao City two months ago.
Vice President Duterte was also entangled in controversies that initially arose from accusations regarding the misappropriation of her confidential funds, which she earlier justified her utilization of the funds and labeled her detractors as “adversaries of the State.”
"Amid the current turmoil, VP Sara is also caught in the middle. She has her job because, in effect, she is part of the President’s official family since she is a Cabinet member. We are finding it difficult because we care about both sides,” Sen. Marcos said.
Sen. Marcos affirmed that despite the controversies, her friendship with the former President and the incumbent Vice President remains unchanged. She earlier explained her staunch alliance with the Dutertes.