Imee can't accept Duterte arrest, skips Marcos-led sortie in Tacloban

TACLOBAN CITY - Senator Imee Marcos said Friday that she would not attend the administration ticket's campaign sortie here as she cannot accept what happened to former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

In a social media post, Imee apologized to Warays as she would not attend the sortie in Tacloban City. 

“Nagpapaumanhin ako sa mga kababayan kong Waray na hindi ako makakadalo sa rally mamaya sa Tacloban,” Imee said. 

(I apologize to my Waray kababayans because I won’t be able to join the campaign rally in Tacloban.)

Leyte has been touted as the Marcoses' turf in the Visayas.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. got the most votes in the province with 641,065 votes in the in the 2022 presidential elections.

“Hindi ko matanggap ang ginawa kay [former President Rodrigo Duterte],” she added. 

(I cannot accept what was done to former President Rodrigo Duterte.)

She said she is studying the incident to help enlighten Filipinos and come up with a realistic solution regarding the matter.

On Tuesday morning, authorities served a warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court against the former president for crimes against humanity in connection with his violent drug campaign. 

The plane carrying Duterte, which was chartered by the Office of the President, departed the Philippines on Tuesday evening heading to The Hague in The Netherlands.

Early Thursday morning (Philippine time), Duterte entered the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison where he is set to be held while awaiting trial.

Duterte's first appearance at the ICC has been set for Friday.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. who is looking for a 12-0 victory for his senatorial candidates said Duterte's arrest was proper.

"We followed every single necessary procedure… We followed the legal procedure that is necessary,” Marcos said.

He said that the arrest was done “because Interpol asked us to do it and we have commitments.”

Marcos said the government ''did not do this because it derived from or it came from ICC.''

''If we don’t do that, they will not – they will no longer help us with other cases involving Filipino fugitives abroad,'' Marcos said.

''This is what the international community expects of us as the leader of a democratic country that is part of the community of nations,'' he added.

Alyansa campaign manager Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco is expecting Leyte to again support Marcos and his candidates.

“Leyte has always stood with President Marcos and his vision for a stronger Philippines. We believe the Leyteños will continue to support leaders who will work with the administration in delivering real progress,” Tiangco said. –NB, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025-related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.