Statement of Malacañang on Pres. Bongbong Marcos, Sen. Imee Marcos
MALACAÑANG – The Palace issued a statement on the “rift” between President Bongbong Marcos and Senator Imee Marcos.
Even the government officials have different stance on the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Sen. Imee Marcos is one of those who were shocked by the unexpected arrest of the former President last March 11.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested Duterte upon his arrival from Hong Kong at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The law enforcement operation reportedly followed the release of an arrest warrant against the former Philippine President by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Duterte was detained at the Villamor Air Base and sent to The Hague, Netherlands via Dubai before the day ended. Senator Bato dela Rosa accused Pres. Marcos of betrayal over the arrest of Duterte. According to the Senator, the Chief Executive betrayed the Filipino people and the country. Malacañang defended the President saying he did not betray anyone.
Another senator who is against the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is presidential sister and Sen. Imee Marcos. According to the Senator, she was shocked by the former President’s arrest and she could not accept what was done to the former Chief Executive.
Following the arrest of Duterte, Sen. Imee Marcos skipped the Alyansa campaign rally led by Pres. Bongbong Marcos in Tacloban. She opened a Senate committee investigation on the arrest of the former President.
Sen. Imee Marcos also skipped the Alyansa campaign rally in Cavite. The attention of several people were caught when Pres. Bongbong Marcos did not mention the name of Sen. Marcos at the Alyansa campaign rally in Cavite. It is not clear if the President intended not to endorse his sister at the campaign rally or not but he reportedly mentioned Camille Villar who was also not there at the campaign sortie.
Recently, Sen. Imee Marcos officially left the Alyansa and clarified that she will continue with her campaign as an independent candidate. It sparked speculations on the relationship between the Senator and Pres. Bongbong Marcos now. Malacañang issued a statement.
Based on a report on GMA News, Malacañang denied that there is a “rift” between Pres. Bongbong Marcos and Sen. Imee Marcos. According to Palace press officer Atty. Claire Castro, the public just have to wait for the statement of the President whom she described as someone who is not short-tempered.
“We cannot say that there is a rift, hintayin na lang po natin kung may sasabihin ang Pangulo… sa ugali ng Pangulo, hindi siya pikon,” the official of Malacañang said.
Based on the report, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ campaign manager Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco said they respect the decision of Sen. Imee Marcos to leave the alliance. According to Sen. Imee Marcos, she will just join the campaign of her local candidate friends.