Zara Jun Salting

Senator Imee Marcos has announced her withdrawal in the senatorial line up of her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to run independently for the 2025 senatorial elections on Sept. 28.

Photo Courtesy of The Manila Times.

Imee, who is seeking re-election announced her decision in a video statement uploaded in her official Facebook page.

The politician extended her gratitude to her brother for his support but decided to run independently for her re-election to avoid any controversy involving him.

“Taus-puso ang aking pasasalamat kayPangulong Bongbong na, sa kabila ng galit at labis na kalupitan ng ilan, ako'y pinagtanggol niya, at naisama pa sa alyansa,” Imee expressed in her statement.
 
According to the politician, the principles taught by her father is one of the reasons for her withdrawal.

“Minabuti kong tumindig mag-isa upang huwag nang malagay sa alanganin ang aking ading, para wag nang mag-alinlangan ang aking mga tunay na kaibigan,” she continued. 

“Pinipipili ko na lamang manatiling malaya at tapat-hindi sa isang grupo, kundi sa bawat Pilipino. Bitbit ang aking mga nagawa para sa bayan nitong nakaraang termino, mga batas na aking alay sa taumbayan, at ang katotohanang hindi ako lumihis sa landas at prinsipyo ng aking Ama” she added.

Imee was among 12 candidates named for the senatorial lineup of President Marcos “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” for the 2025 midterm election during a convention at the Philippine International Convention Center last Sept. 26.

The other 11 candidates that are named along with Imee Marcos in the administration's senatorial line up are: Makati Mayor Abby Binay; Senator Pia Cayetano; Senator Bong Revilla; Senator Lito Lapid; former Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson; former Senator Manny Pacquiao; former Senate president Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III; Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino; ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo; House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar; and Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos.