Re-electionist Senator Imee Marcos announced on Wednesday her withdrawal from her brother’s administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (APBP), less than seven weeks before the May midterm elections.

Citing the preliminary findings of her investigation into the arrest of her brother’s predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Marcos said she “cannot stand on the same campaign platform as the rest of the Alyansa.”

“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. Thus, 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.

She continued: “Over and above political advantage, the sovereignty of the country and the interest of true justice for every Filipino must remain paramount.”

Senator Marcos spearheaded a Senate investigation into the arrest of the former president last week, where government officials offered conflicting statements on the arrest, which the latter’s family and supporters described as kidnapping and part of a political persecution.

For the presidential sister, the government witnesses “appeared to be hiding essential facts” when they repeatedly invoked executive privilege and the sub judice rule during the last week’s hearing.

“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.

Senator Marcos openly criticized the arrest of the former president, who is now in The Hague, Netherlands to face his crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC),

Duterte was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11 upon his return from Hong Kong, where he attended a Kingdom of Jesus Christ event with overseas Filipino workers.

On the same day, he was flown to The Hague, where the ICC is based, to face charges of murder linked to his anti-illegal drugs crackdown in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019.

Prior to her withdrawal from the APBP, President Marcos notably left out her name for two consecutive times when he called for public support for the coalition’s slate during its recent sorties. This omission has reignited speculation about a long-rumored rift between the siblings.

‘We wish her luck’

Asked for a comment, Navotas Lone District Representative Toby Tiango, the campaign manager of APBP, said the coalition respects the decision of Senator Marcos.

“We respect Senator Imee’s decision. We wish her luck in the campaign,” Tiangco said.

In September, Senator Marcos announced that she would run as an independent Senate bet, refusing to join the senatorial slate of the administration despite being included in it.

However, in February, she joined the administration bets when they kicked off their campaign at the Marcoses’ bailiwick in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.