By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The protesting groups in the transport sector have found a passionate ally in presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos who lambasted the December 31 deadline this year for the public utility vehicles (PUVs) to get consolidated and to join transport cooperatives or corporations.
“Malawakang transport strike ang babati sa taumbayan mula ika-29 ng Disyembre hanggang sa pagpasok ng bagong taon. Maawa tayo sa mga tsuper at operator, sa mga commuter, trabahador, at estudyante, sa negosyo, at maliliit na negosyanteng umaasa sa jeep at PUV,” she lamented.
At the same time, Sen. Imee noted that the modern jeepney with Euro 4-compliant engine is “too expensive” at P2.5 million per unit for the ordinary jeepney driver, who also has to deal with soaring gas prices.
“Sino bang may ayaw ng bagong sasakyan? Pero sino naman, sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, ang may pambayad?” the lady senator from Ilocos Norte asked.
Senator Imee pointed out that the government subsidy for affected drivers at P210,000 to P280,000 is “just a fraction” of the P2.5 million cost of the modern jeepney.
On Thursday (December 28), Sen. Marcos said she also worries for the commuting public whose holidays were spoiled by the strike waged by drivers who opposed the traditional jeepney phase-out.
She questioned why drivers and operators are compelled to consolidate into cooperatives.
“At bakit nga ba pipilitin ang libu-libong operator at drayber na mag-myembro ng transport coop? Kung ngayon may-ari at maliit na negosyante ang turing sa kanila, sa ilalim ng coop magiging hamak na empleyado na lang ba sila?” she asked.
The presidential sister also expressed apprehension that the use of modern jeepneys would eventually increase the transport fare.
“Sa laki ng gagastusin para bumili ng bagong sasakyan, magkano naman ang itataas ng pamasahe?” she asked.
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Imee Marcos has advocated for the continuous enforcement of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to prohibit the use of firecrackers, as outlined in Executive Order (EO) 28.
This statement comes in the wake of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos urging local government units to restrict the use of firecrackers and establish designated areas for fireworks displays.
“The current administration is obliged to reinforce the existing EO,” remarked the senator. “Until there is a new directive from the Executive that supersedes EO 28-2017, it remains imperative for the administration to uphold it.”
Marcos also conveyed her support for the “sound reasoning” behind EO 28, which aims to prevent the “misuse of firecrackers” that could swiftly transform a celebration into a medical emergency or even a tragedy.
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the public stance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. supporting the easing of restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution to allow for more foreign investments ostensibly for economic development, his big sister Senator Marcos has remained adamant against charter change or “Cha-Cha”.
The lady senator from Ilocos Norte — rumored to be eyeing as the running mate of Vice President Sara Duterte of Davao City in the 2028 presidential race — said she was surprised by PBBM’s proverbial change of heart because she thought they both agreed earlier that “Cha-Cha” is just a distraction from the country’s more pressing problems.
“Ako mismo, hindi ko ipagtatanggol yang Aquino na Konstitusyon. Siyempre Marcos ako. Maraming probisyon diyan talagang paghihiganti, paninigurado na wala nang Marcos na uupo,” Senator Marcos said in an ambush interview on Friday, December 15.
Earlier, she also ribbed her cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez for pushing for “Cha-Cha” in 2004, hinting that just because he couldn’t win in presidential elections he wanted to become a Prime Minister.
Romualdez, however, only echoed PBBM’s preference for the tinkering of economic provisions in the Constitution and did not mention a shift to a unitary parliamentary system that will have a Prime Minister as head of government.
Senator Imee stressed that “Cha-Cha” should not be the government’s priority now as the country is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Claiming that the time is not yet ripe to change the 1987 Constitution, Senator Imee Marcos on Friday, December 15, said charter change (Cha-Cha) only distracts the government from addressing the real problems in the country.
The presidential sister remarked as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. said Charter change should focus on attracting investors in the country.
“Pero ang totoo, hindi talaga napapanahon dahil ang dami nating problema ngayon. Kaka-recover lang natin sa pandemic, pabalik na naman, paikot-ikot ‘yang virus na ‘yan, at hindi pa sapat talaga ang pagbangon at pagbigay ng trabaho sa taumbayan,” Senator Imee stressed.
On Wednesday, December 13, without directly mentioning the name of her cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez who is now pushing for charter change, Senator Imee hinted that someone might want to be Prime Minister because the person can’t win the presidency.
Senator Imee is believed to be eyeing to be the running mate of Vice President Sara Duterte if she runs for president in 2028.
In a speech before the House adjourned its session until January 22, 2024, Romualdez bared that Cha-cha was needed to unlock the country’s potential as an investment destination.
“Next year, we will focus our attention on studying and reviewing proposals that deal with the restrictions blocking the entry of foreign capital and investment in the Philippines,” Romualdez said.
Diskarteng Pinoy
Diskarteng Pinoy, a regional party in Region 7 seeking Comelec registration and eventual accreditation as a party-list for 2025 polls, has strongly supported Romualdez’s Cha-Cha plans.
However, it also urged Congress to consider shifting to a unitary parliamentary system of government to speed up the passage of laws to propel economic development and curtail legislative operational expenses.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Imee Marcos on Friday (08 Dec 2023) expressed the view that the government should take legal action against those involved in smuggling agricultural products.
Marcos stressed that merely conducting raids is insufficient; legal cases should be initiated.
“The government should go after smugglers. Enough with the photo ops and raids; let’s file cases. Let’s apprehend the smugglers,” the senator urged.
“It appears that some smugglers may also be operating as legal importers, falsely declaring shortages,” she added.
Emphasizing the importance of investing in agriculture, Marcos pointed out the need for infrastructure improvements.
“We need to invest in agricultural infrastructure. Just consider our irrigation systems and dams. Angat Dam, Magat Dam, Pantabangan—these are outdated,” she stated.
“We should prioritize buying locally because if we heavily depend on imports, what happens when there’s no one available to sell them to us? While we may import as necessary, we must minimize these imports, especially during the harvest season,” the senator concluded.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Short of saying that the Philippines shouldn’t always toe the line of the United States, maverick Senator Imee Marcos has warned of a possible fallout from Arab nations as a result of the Philippines’ decision to abstain from a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for a truce in Gaza.
The combative senator from Ilocos Norte noted the cozy ties between the United States and the administration of her brother President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. could also affect the country’s negotiations in the conflict.
“Our alliance with the United States and its foreign policies in the ongoing conflict complicate our own,” Senator Marcos averred.
In a statement on Monday, November 27, Marcos pointed out that the Philippines’ move to abstain from a UNGA resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas “has not gone unnoticed” among Arab nations.
Maharlika NuMedia gathered from the ABC News Report on Nov. 24 that: “Among American voters 18 to 34 years old, 52% of respondents in the Nov. 16 Quinnipiac poll said their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians, while 29 percent said they were sympathetic to the Israelis. The numbers indicated a sharp reversal from October when 41% said the Israelis had their sympathies and 26% said they were sympathetic to the Palestinians.”
Reports from various sources said at least 14,800 Palestinians — mostly women and children — in Gaza have been killed, per the Ministry of Health in Hamas-run Gaza.
In contrast, Israel’s death toll from the Oct. 7 Hamas attack stands at 1,200, according to Israeli officials. They claimed the majority of deaths were civilians.
Civilians are being killed in Gaza more quickly “than in even the deadliest moments of U.S.-led attacks in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, which were themselves widely criticized by human rights groups,” experts told the New York Times.
To recall, Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Antonio Lagdameo explained before the UNGA’s Oct. 27 emergency special session that the Philippines abstained from the vote because the resolution failed to condemn Hamas as responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks, which killed four Filipinos.
The UNGA resolution was adopted after 120 countries voted in its favor, with 14 against, and 45 abstentions, including the Philippines.
Sen. Marcos, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed apprehension that the Philippine abstention could affect future negotiations on the release of Filipino hostages.
“But Filipino interests come first and must be upheld,” she maintained.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The body language tells it all that Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Imee Marcos are up to something big as they visited two schools in Catanduanes fueling speculations that they will be teaming up in the 2028 presidential elections, five years from now.
On Thursday, November 23, they barnstormed two public schools in Catanduanes “spreading joy and goodwill.”
“Matapos mamahagi ng ayuda at regalo para sa mga kabataan sa probinsya ng Catanduanes, binisita namin ni VP Inday Sara Duterte ang Palnab Elementary School noong Huwebes, Nov. 23,” Marcos said.
The Vice President from Davao City and the lady senator from Ilocos Norte engaged in a series of public activities, including giving aid and gifts to students.
Despite her recent denial, Duterte is expected to run for president in 2028, with Marcos as her running mate.
Ironically, Inday Sara will likely square off with Marcos’ first cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
In photos shared on social media, they took part in a tree-planting activity contributing to the greenery of the school surroundings.
“Nagtanim kami ng guyabano seedlings sa paaralan at personal na kinamusta ang mga guro at mga estudyante dito,” Marcos quipped.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday said her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio maintain an amicable relationship.
“In my opinion, between my brother, myself, our president, and our vice president, I believe things are in order. The challenge lies in external disruptions,” she commented.
“The key figures—my brother, myself, VP Sara Duterte, and PRRD (former President Rodrigo Duterte)—I think are not problematic. It’s others who are causing disturbances. I don’t know,” Marcos added.
Addressing Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment allegations, the senator emphasized the need to prioritize other pressing issues in the country.
“I hope they have compassion for the Philippines,” Marcos expressed.
“We have numerous problems. Have mercy on the administration, have mercy on Filipinos struggling to afford sufficient food, and dealing with high costs, especially as Christmas approaches. Let’s be ashamed as Filipinos,” she added.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
WITH THE RECENT STATEMENT OF STRONG SUPPORT of presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos for the beleaguered Duterte political family, Vice President Sara Duterte has expressed deep appreciation although she brushed off the speculation of an emerging “Inday Sara-Manang Imee tandem” in 2028.
The 67-year-old lady senator from Ilocos Norte came to the defense of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who earned the ire of congressmen when he called the House of Representatives the “most rotten institution” despite having been a member of the lower chamber when he served as Davao City’s 1st District Representative from 1998 to 2001.
“Noong 2015, ako ang una at kaisa-isang gobernador na nagdeklara ng suporta para kay President Duterte. At, kahit ako ang nag-iisang matitira, maninindigan ako para sa kanya,” Senator Marcos stressed.
However, she did not specifically comment on the House resolution supporting the leadership of her first cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez who is seen as the likely contender for VP Sara in the 2028 presidential race.
Senator Imee was also Ilocos Norte’s 2nd District Representative from 1998 to 2007.
“Magpapasalamat ako kay Senator Imee Marcos sa kanyang patuloy na pagsuporta sa pulitika sa aming pamilya,” VP Duterte said in reaction.
She also expressed her appreciation to Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab who failed to sign the resolution supporting Romualdez.
“Congressman Sid Ungab and Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have my full support as a politician and as a friend,” VP Duterte noted.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
JUST LIKE THE SONG “THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR”, presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos has justified her BFF (best friends forever) Vice President Sara Duterte’s request for P650 million in confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) which she heads, saying they are needed to address domestic security threats.
At the same time, Sen. Imee minced no words when she saw politics as a motive behind the House of Representatives’ removal of Inday Sara’s CIF.
“Sinabi ko na noon pa na may halong galit. Hindi ko maintindihan sinong nagmamadali. Ang layo-layo pa ng 2028. Bakit binubugbog na yung frontrunner, ika nga,” the senator exclaimed when interviewed over radio station dzBB.
She added that the House’s move might be a way to sabotage Vice President Sara Duterte, who’s seen as a strong contender in the 2028 presidential race.
Ironically, Sen. Imee and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who is widely believed to be eyeing the 2028 presidential race, are first-degree cousins.
The President’s older sister, however, was rumored to be the running mate of VP Duterte if ever she ran for president in 2028.
“Hindi naman lahat siguro totally pulitika, pero yung sobrang galit, sobrang personal eh. Nakakaduda,” the senator quipped in reaction to Inday Sara’s critics.
She said VP Duterte’s request for confidential funds could be reinstated as budget for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).
“Kung talagang intel fund lang, edi tanggalin. Eh marami pang salita, marami pang banta. Nahahaluan ng kung anu-ano eh,” Manang Imee fumed. (ai/mnm)
Senator Imee Marcos and Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval jointly distributed educational cash assistance to hundreds of students of Malabon City University (MCU) through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, an initiative undertaken by the lady senator’s office.
This distribution event took place at the Malabon Sports Complex on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Some city officials also attended the event.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
VP and Education Secretary Sara Duterte (left) and Sen. Imee Marcos (right). (Photo courtesy of the Kahimyang Project)
IN A SURPRISING TWIST in the political arena, Senator Imee Marcos openly chided her perceived “BFF’ (best friends forever) in Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte for keeping 433 security personnel ostensibly willing to take the bullet for the country’s second-highest official.
Senator Imee’s first shot at Inday Sara was not only surprising but also unexpected since the two “Alpha females” are publicly close, politically and personally.
In fact, VP Sara Duterte had revealed that it was Senator Imee Marcos who persuaded her to run for the second highest post in the country and not Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who many believe was the one called “tambaloslos” by the feisty VPES (Vice President and Education Secretary) after she tendered her irrevocable resignation as a member of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party, which she ran under in 2022 polls.
“Ang tambaloslos kasi sa Bisaya pwede mo siyang i-interpret na joke and pwede mo rin siyang i-interpret na pagmumura, and pwede mo siyang i-interpret na pang iinsulto,” Inday Sara explained.
Romualdez, a first-degree cousin of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr., is the party president of the Lakas-CMD which has 71 members at the House of Representatives composed of 316 legislators and only one member at the Senate.
The gentleman from Leyte just ignored what some political analysts called an “unstatesmanlike” remark made by SWOH (Sara without an H).
Collins Dictionary defines unstatesmanlike as “not resembling or befitting a political leader whose wisdom, integrity, etc. win great respect.”
Of course, the House Speaker and Senator Imee are also first-degree cousins.
By the way, reliable sources said that Imee is actually gunning for the mayoral seat of Manila, the country’s capital.
That’s why Imee allegedly bought a one-hectare property in Sta. Mesa from former President and ex-Manila Mayor Erap Estrada to prepare for the 2025 mayoralty race in Manila.
If Imee wins as Manila mayor in 2025, this could be a big boost to her cousin Martin’s presidential ambition and may derail Sara’s march to Malacañang in 2028.
Apparently recognizing the immense popularity of Inday Sara who would be a shoo-in if presidential elections were held today, some political operators think that the issues of being abusive in power like having 433 “bodyguards” and the millions of pesos of so-called confidential funds could pull her down.
It can be recalled that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) justified Inday Sara’s creation of the VPSPG (Vice President Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) in June 2022.
The OVP said it is necessary to have a team independent from the Presidential Security Group (PSG) that will protect future vice presidents in case of political differences with the President.
The VPSPG “will inevitably perform even when the Vice President and the President face the misfortune of having a relationship strained or broken by political differences,” just like what had happened between former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and then Vice President Leni Robredo.
This early, signs of cracks in the UniTeam are showing with PBBM getting closer to PH’s old ally the United States in asserting the Philippine sovereignty versus China while Sara is ominously silent on Chinese bullying.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to discern that eventually, PBBM will endorse his cousin Martin Romualdez as the administration standard bearer for the 2028 presidential race.
As they say, blood is thicker than water.
Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.
(ai/mnm)