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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Is Senator Imee's presidential ambition getting clearer? Palace asks

Is Senator Imee's presidential ambition getting clearer? Palace asks

Published Jun 20, 2025 07:06 pm
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro took a slight swipe at Senator Imee Marcos' remark on being a president.
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro (RTVM) | Senator Imee Marcos (Senate PRIB)
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro (RTVM) | Senator Imee Marcos (Senate PRIB)
“Lahat kayo sa akin nakatingin-sana ako na lang nag-presidente (All of you are looking at me—I should've been the one who ran for president),” the senator said.
In a statement, the presidential sister criticized the government's funding on the rehabilitation of San Juanico Bridge, citing supposed lapses and saying why was the allocation only pegged at P451.4 million when various projects in Maharlika Highway have P4.7-billion allocation.
She was then questioned by the House of Representatives on her contribution as a senator, whose role includes allocating a budget to preserve the iconic bridge.
The senator's remark reached the Palace which questioned Marcos' intention.
“Lumiliwanag po ba ang ambisyon ni Senator Imee Marcos?t(Is Senator Imee Marcos' ambition getting clearer)?” Castro asked.
Castro, however, was quick to underscore that it was only during the time of President Marcos that the bridge was inspected.
She also said the Senator should have known why despite having a budget, the bridge was never rehabilitated since 2018.
“Well, anyway, naging senador po si mahal na Senadora Imee Marcos since 2019 at malamang po ay alam naman po niya ang naging budget ng dating administrasyon patungkol po dito sa San Juanico Bridge (Well, anyway, the honorable Senator Imee Marcos has been a senator since 2019, and she’s probably aware of the previous administration’s budget concerning the San Juanico Bridge),” Castro said.
“At apat na taon pong nagkaroon—kung hindi ako nagkakamali, apat na taon since 2018 up to 2022 ang administrasyong Duterte pero hindi nga po nagkaroon ng rehabilitation (And for four years—if I’m not mistaken, from 2018 to 2022—under the Duterte administration, there was no rehabilitation that took place,” she added.
The Palace official pointed out that it was only during an inspection under the current administration that the extent of the damage was discovered, showing that repairs were truly needed on the San Juanico Bridge.
“Sa panahon lamang po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ito nagkaroon talaga nang malaliman na pag-i-inspect para po makita na maaaring ito po ay hindi na magandang daanan at dangerous na po sa mga lumalakbay gamit po ang San Juanico Bridge (It is only during the time of President Marcos Jr. that a thorough inspection was conducted, revealing that the bridge might no longer be safe to cross and could be dangerous for travelers using it),” Castro added.

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imee marcos San Juanico Bridge Claire Castro President Marcos
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