Imee Marcos standing by true friend Duterte

Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday said that she was standing by former President Rodrigo Duterte as her friend.

Imee issued the statement days after Duterte was named in the House of Representatives as the one who allegedly maligned the chamber after it realigned the proposed confidential funds of the office of her daughter Vice President Sara Duterte and the Department of Education.

"Inuulit ko, noong 2015, ako ang una at kaisa-isang gobernador na nagdeklara ng suporta para kay Pangulong Duterte. At kahit ako ang nag-iisang matira, maninindigan ako para sa kanya,” Imee said in a statement.

“Ang isang anak na humarap sa napakaraming pananaksak sa likod ay hindi kailanman tatahamik sa mga pagtataksil at pambabastos sa taong gumalang sa aking ama, noong pahintulutan nyang mahimlay ito sa libingang para sa kanya,” she added.

(I repeat, I was the first and only governor who declared support for President Duterte in 2015. And if I remain the only one, I would continue to stand up for him. A daughter who had to endure backstabbing will never be silent against the betrayal and disrespect for the person who honored by father when he allowed him to be buried where in the resting place he deserved.)

It was under the Duterte administration when the late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr. was laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani—a move that was long opposed by martial law victims and those who fought during the military rule.

Imee said Duterte’s decision to allow her father to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani was a sign of true friendship.

“Doon, ay tinanong siya na kaya ba niya pinahintulutan ang paglilibing ay dahil kaibigan niya lang ako? Ang sagot niya noon ay sagot ko ngayon,” Imee said.

(I asked him if he allowed the burial because I was a friend. His answer then is my answer now)

“Hindi lang dahil kaibigan ko si PRRD. Kaibigan ko talaga siya higit lalo si Inday Sara. Mga kaibigan ko sa pagpapaunlad ng bayan, pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at pakikipaglaban kontra sa pwersa ng kasamaang nagpapalaganap ng katiwalian, gutom at katrayduran,” she added.

(He is really my friend and particularly Inday Sara. They are my friends in improving the country, in maintaining the peace and in fight against the forces of evil which spread corruption, hunger and treason.) —NB, GMA Integrated News