Imee believes Bongbong tied on Cha-cha push

Senator Imee Marcos on Sunday said that her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., is seemingly constrained by the push to amend the 1987 Constitution through people’s initiative.

“Nagugulat lang ako. Kilala ko ang aking kapatid at parang nakatali siya. Hindi ko maintindihan paano nabihag ang aking kapatid sa mga kung ano-anong demonyo diyan,” she said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

“Hay naku. Talagang hindi maganda itong mga pangyayari, the senator added.

(I'm surprised. I know my brother and it seems his hands are tied. I don't understand how my brother was lured by those demons. What is happening right now is really not good.)

Imee on Saturday prayed for the protection of the President and that he be kept away from the "devils.” She also asked God to open her brother’s eyes, give him clarity of thought, and remind him not to leave the fate of the country to those who are greedy and hungry for attention.

The lawmaker said there are many “devils” in Malacañang who may affect how Bongbong would perceive the push for Charter change or Cha-cha.

“Ang tingin ko, pinalilibutan ang aking kapatid. Nu'ng bata ako, gano'n din naman eh. Sinabi ko rin na Malacañang is a snake-pit... Eh ‘yun ang tingin ko eh. Ganun talaga eh, talagang madaming amuyong kapag may kapangyarihan,” Imee said.

(I think my brother is surrounded by devils. When I was young I also said that Malacañang is a snake-pit... That really happens where there is power.)

“Sana ang aking kapatid, 'wag nang pansinin kasi lumaki na kami sa ganyan. 'Wag makikinig sa mga demonyo sa Palasyo. Maraming demonyo diyan—dalawang paa at ‘yung iba naman mumu,” she continued.

(I hope my brother doesn’t listen because we grew up seeing that. I hope he doesn’t listen to the demons in the Palace. There are many demons there—those who have two legs, and the others are ghosts.)

Amid discussions on Cha-cha, President Marcos said the Philippines needs to adapt as the 1987 Constitution was crafted not in the context of a global community.

Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Marcos believed the proposed amendments in the people's initiative for Charter change was “too divisive.”

Open invitation

Imee Marcos further said that the Senate halls are open to anyone who wants to clear their name when it comes to the alleged bribes being given for the signature campaign to push for Cha-cha via people's initiative.

The senator had filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the alleged pay-offs.

“Very courteous naman kami. Hindi naman kami nagsa-subpoena. Hindi naman kami nagpapa-aresto. Ang sinasabi ko lang, kung gusto niyong linisin ang pangalan ninyo at masantabi ang mga haka-haka, ‘yung kuro-kuro, e di magpresinta kayo at pumunta na lang kayo,” she said.

(We are very courteous. We don’t subpoena anyone. We don’t arrest. I'm just saying, if you want to clear your name and put aside the suspicions, then just present yourself and just go to the hearing.)

Imee said many are complaining about the bribery, but they are also afraid to testify.

She said she is finding a way to protect those who want to speak against the perpetrators, and at the same time gather evidence.

Imee on Friday said that the office of her cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez was "definitely" behind the alleged P20-million allocations for congressional districts to push for the people's initiative and the timeline for Charter change.

Romualdez in return challenged her to prove her allegations.

“Let her [P20 million per district] prove it. I don’t know where this is all coming from. I respect her as my cousin, as a senator. She can give me a call, text me anytime but if she prefers to do it before the media, that is her prerogative," the Speaker said. —KG, GMA Integrated News