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)
