Vice President Sara Duterte has officially thrown her support behind the reelection bid of Senator Imee Marcos, the eldest sister of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
In a 30-second advertisement posted on the official social media page of Senator Marcos on Monday afternoon, Duterte likened the country’s color to black as she cited the country's worsening conditions, including what she claimed as widespread hunger and rising crimes.
“Itim ngayon ang kulay ng bansa. Sa gutom at krimen, nag luluksa,” she said.
Senator Marcos echoed the vice president’s sentiment, claiming that those who are not political allies of the administration are being persecuted, an apparent swipe at her brother’s administration.
“Ginigipit ang kaalyansa,” she said.
Duterte, the eldest daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte — who is currently in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague over crimes against humanity charges — closed the video with a direct endorsement: “Iboto si Senator Imee.”
The endorsement is seen as a key political boost for Senator Marcos, who recently distanced herself from the administration-aligned coalition, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.
She announced her withdrawal last month, citing disagreements with how her brother’s administration is handling national issues, including the recent arrest of Duterte.
Based on the latest Pulse Asia pre-election survey, Senator Marcos’s standing in the senatorial race has seen a decline.
She previously ranked between 4th and 12th place with 43.3 percent, but has since dropped to the 13th to 18th range, garnering only 27.6 percent.