Senator Imee Marcos announced that she would no longer join the administration-backed Senate slate Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas grand rally in Tacloban City this Friday.

In a statement posted on her Facebook page, Senator Marcos, the oldest sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., cited the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte as the reason for her decision.
“I cannot accept what was done to FPRRD (former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte),” Senator Marcos said.

President Marcos’ senatorial slate is set to woo voters in Tacloban City in a bid to consolidate support in Leyte, a province with 1.4 million registered voters and a political stronghold for the Marcos family.

Duterte was arrested on Tuesday due to his alleged crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court. He is facing murder charges linked to his administration's ruthless campaign against illegal drugs.

According to Senator Marcos, she is currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding Duterte’s arrest to provide a “truthful solution” to the situation.

‘Friend’

Senator Marcos has been very vocal about her “friendship” with Duterte.

In 2018, Senator Marcos vowed to defend the former chief executive, who at that time was being criticized by her counterparts in the House of Representatives over the latter’s tirades against them.

“I repeat, in 2015, I was the first and the only government official that declared support for President Duterte. And even if I’m the only one left, I would remain standing for him,” Senator Marcos said.

As the eldest daughter of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Marcos said she would never be silenced against those who are “betraying” the former president, who respected his father and permitted his burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“He was asked before if the only reason why he permitted the burial of my father is because I am his friend,” Senator Marcos said.

“His answer before is my answer now; Not only because PRRD is my friend, but he is really my friend, especially Inday Sara – they are my friends in keeping peace and fighting evil forces that spread corruption, hunger, and traitorship.”

In 2016, then-President Duterte permitted the burial of the Marcos siblings’ father at the Libingan ng mga Bayani despite the opposition of human rights groups, particularly families and victims of martial law.