Reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday, February 18 clarified that she is still an independent senatorial candidate for the upcoming May 2025 elections.

This, despite her appearance at two of the major events of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas held in Laoag City and in Iloilo City last week.

Her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had introduced her as part of the whole senatorial slate of the administration party.

In a press briefing at the Senate, Imee clarified she is still running as an independent candidate.

According to Imee, she was forced to appear at the administration slate’s kick-off rally in Laoag City because her son, Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc prodded her to attend the rally held at the province which is considered as the administration’s bailiwick.

She also appeared at Alyansa’s kick-off event in Iloilo City because she was invited by Rep. Ferjenel “Ferj” Biron, who is also a close friend.

“Independent ako, nagklaro lang ako sa Alyansa na hahayaan ako na magsalita, at hindi ako sang-ayon sa lahat ng nasasabi sa entablado (I’m an independent candidate; I clarified this with the Alyansa and they allowed me to speak and that I don’t agree to all that is said in the stage),” the senator said.

Imee said that as a general rule, she shuns any form of mudslinging and negative campaigning which she believes is “very self-defeating” and “un-constructive.”

“Mas maganda para sa akin yung ipaliwanag mo kung ano yung nagawa mo at ano pa ang plano mong gawin para makatulong sa tao para iboto ka (For me it’s much better if you would just explain about your achievements and what your plans are to serve the people so they would vote for you),” she said.

“Yung paninira ng kabila, di ako komportable, naiilang ako. At kung minsan, naikikita sa mukha ko eh (I’m not comfortable with criticizing the other party, I cringe at it. And sometimes, it shows in my face),” she added.

Nevertheless, she said she is also keen on the joining the Alyansa’s scheduled rally at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City today, February 18.

Nevertheless, Imee Marcos, who has been known as a staunch ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, said she is saddened to be campaigning away from Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Go and Dela Rosa are running under the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) slate, being endorsed by former president Duterte.

Marcos said she will continue to campaign independently, despite receiving criticisms regarding her loyalty.

“Ang akin lamang, ayoko ng gulo. Ayoko talaga ng guulo, ang gusto ko lang ay mangampanya at isaad kung ano yung plano ko, yung nagawa ko na (For me, I don’t want conflict. I really do not like conflict. I just want to campaign and bare my plans and what I have already done,” she said.