The campaign of reelectionist Sen. Imee R. Marcos goes on.
Marcos said on Wednesday, March 26, that her campaign in the May elections remains on track despite her withdrawal from the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate.
Marcos said she will continue campaigning around the country in the next few days alongside local candidates.
“Pareho, pareho pa rin (The same, still the same),” Marcos said.
“Pupunta lang ako sa mga kaibigan ko sa local. Tutal maguumpisa na rin local sa 28. As usual sa mga local. Matagal akong governor. Sanay ako sa local. Marami naman akong kilala. Matagal naman ako sa Congress. Punta lang ako sa barkada ko (I will just go to my friends on the local level. The local campaign starts on the 28th. I am used to local. I know many local candidates. I was a long time congressman. Will reach out to my friends),” she said.
Marcos said Alyansa should be happy that she is leaving the party and campaign all alone by herself.
“At least dapat silang matuwa wala ng malabo kasi mahirap naman ‘yung ganun hindi ka sisipot tapos hindi ka iniendorso, hindi ka binabanggit. Mas mabuti na ‘yung maliwanag,” Marcos said.
(They should be happy. They are not endorsing me. This should make it clear)
Marcos said she is gathering more witnesses to testify in the next hearing on former President Duterte’s arrest. The date of the next hearing is yet to be disclosed.
Her supporters urged her in her Facebook page to help Duterte return to the country.
Marcos also said she will push for more agricultural investments to make the country more competitive.
She pressed the government to have an independent foreign policy amid the West Philippine Sea issue.
"Getting stuck in the middle of two foreign superpowers (China and US) is not a good place to be. Huwag tayong kakampi sa isa (We should not side with one superpower)."
"Dapat maingat tayo, huwag tayong kakampi. I think it is very dangerous given the radical changes in foreign policy under the new Trump administration. We should be very careful just like the ASEAN," Marcos said.
Marcos left Alyansa due to differences.
"I cannot stand on the same campaign platform as the rest of the Alyansa. As I have stated from the outset of the election period, I will continue to maintain my independence," she said in a statement online.
She noted that government witnesses appeared to be hiding essential facts by repeatedly invoking executive privilege and the sub judice rule during the hearing into the arrest of Duterte.
“Beyond their constant narrative that the Philippines was simply complying with its international commitments, a deliberate effort to obscure the truth only gave rise to ever greater suspicion that the Constitution may have been disregarded and our sovereignty diminished by the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” she said.
“As will be soon discussed in my preliminary findings, clearly there were actions taken by the administration which run counter to my ideals and principles,” she added.