Inihayag ni reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos na kumalas na siya sa binuong senatorial ticket ng kaniyang kapatid na si Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., na Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.

Sa inilabas niyang pahayag nitong Miyerkoles, idinahilan ng senador sa kaniyang pag-alis sa Alyansa ang ginawang pag-aresto kay dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, na taliwas umano sa kaniyang pananaw at prinsipyo.

“[C]learly 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,” paliwanag ni Imee.

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

Pinuna rin ng senador ang paggamit ng ilang government officials ng "executive privilege" sa ginawang pagdinig ng Senate foreign relations committee na pinamumunuan niya, kaugnay sa pag-aresto kay Duterte.

“By repeatedly invoking executive privilege and the sub judice rule during the Senate's hearing last week, the government witnesses appeared to be hiding essential facts,” dagdag niya.

“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,” sabi ni Imee.

Sinabi naman ni Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, campaign manager ng Alyansa, na iginagalang nila ang desisyon ng senadora.

"We respect Senator Imee’s decision. We wish her luck in the campaign," ani Tiangco.

Sa ginanap na campaign rally ng Alyansa sa Cavite at Laguna kamakailan, kapansin-pansin na hindi binanggit ni Pres. Marcos ang pangalan ni Imee.

Sa Laguna, hiniling ng pangulo sa mga tao na suportahan ang 11 kandidato ng Alyansa sa halip na 12.

BASAHIN: Bong Go, Erwin Tulfo frontrunners in SWS’ March senatorial survey

Sa pinakabagong resulta ng survey ng Social Weather Stations (SWS) para sa senatorial race, nasa pang-16 na posisyon si Imee. — mula sa ulat ni Hana Bordey/FRJ, GMA Integrated News