No mention of Imee in President Marcos’ campaign speech in Cavite

TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite —There was no mention of reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos in the speech of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ campaign rally in the vote-rich Cavite province.

Imee and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar both skipped the 10th campaign sortie of Alyansa, but only the presidential sister was not mentioned in the endorsement speech of the chief executive. 

Asked to react to Marcos’ speech, Imee told GMA News Online, "K lang, tutal sinabi ko na na ang aking tututukan ay ang pagsisiyasat ng mga pangyayaring labag sa batas noong kinuha si FPRRD (Duterte).”

This is the second time Marcos was absent in the alliance’s campaign rally. 

The first time was during Alyansa’s sortie in Tacloban City, Leyte— which is considered the bailiwick of her mother, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. 

Imee said she did not attend the administration ticket’s rally in Tacloban because she could not accept what happened to former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

The Tacloban sortie was the first campaign of Alyansa since Duterte’s arrest on March 11. 

Although she skipped the Tacloban campaign rally of the administration ticket, the President still endorsed and mentioned Imee in his speech.

Cavite has long been a decisive battleground with 2.4 million registered voters in national elections.

Three of Alyansa’s senatorial bets—reelectionist Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Francis “Tol” Tolentino, and former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson — come from the province.

“Cavite has always been a decisive force in national elections, and Alyansa is coming in strong with a lineup that understands the pulse of the people,” campaign manager Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco said.

“We have leaders who have proven their ability to deliver results, and we are confident that Caviteños will rally behind us,” he added.

In the 2022 presidential polls, the President received over 1.1 million votes in the province.

Last Thursday or the day before the Cavite sortie, Imee led the Senate foreign relations committee’s inquiry into Duterte’s arrest, where she questioned the actions and the decision of Marcos’ Cabinet secretaries. 

“Isinuko natin si Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa dayuhan na para bang wala siyang sariling bayan, na para bang hindi na nating kayang humusga sa sarili nating tahanan,” Imee quipped. 

She further stated that Duterte was taken by “outsiders” who claimed the right to judge him, questioning when the Philippines became a “province” of The Hague. 

Earlier today, Imee said she feels uncomfortable attending the campaign sorties of the administration slate. 

“Ako naiilag ako na pumunta dito sa mga Alyansa at iba pang pangangampanya. Ako ay iikot lang sa lokal," Imee said.

GMA News Online asked Alyansa’s campaign manager and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco why Imee was excluded from the president’s speech, but he has yet to respond as of posting time. —LDF, GMA Intergrated News

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