MANILA, Philippines – Senator Imee Marcos announced on Saturday, September 28, that she has withdrawn from her brother’s senatorial lineup for the 2025 elections.

Imee, who is seeking reelection, announced her decision in a video statement on Saturday, two days after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed the 12 senatorial aspirants of the administration coalition that included her. (READ: Marcos bares 2025 senatorial slate under Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas)

“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,” said Imee, who had skipped the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas convention where Marcos named her and 11 other members of the administration coalition’s senatorial lineup.

(I chose to stand alone to avoid putting my sibling in a difficult position and to prevent my true friends from having any doubts.)

The senator said that she preferred to be “independent,” but did not indicate if this means she would leave the Nacionalista Party, which is part of her brother’s administration coalition. This will be clear once she files her certificate of candidacy in October.

“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 said.

(I choose to remain free and loyal — not to a group, but to every Filipino. I carry with me the accomplishments I achieved for the nation during my last term, the laws I dedicated to the people, and the truth that I have not strayed from the path and principles of my father.)

She also noted that she made the announcement on the death anniversary of her father, the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.

“Sana ay patuloy ninyo akong unawain at mahalin (I hope you continue to understand and love me),” Imee added.

In the recent Pulse Asia Research, Incorporated survey on voters’ preferences for senatorial bets released in July, Imee ranked 6th to 11th. In the latest Octa survey, released in September, Imee was ranked 7th to 15th.

Imee still thanked her brother for including her in the administration coalition’s slate despite her fallout with some of his allies whom she did not name.

“Taus-puso ang aking pasasalamat kay Pangulong Bongbong na, sa kabila ng galit at labis na kalupitan ng ilan, ako’y pinagtanggol niya, at naisama pa sa alyansa,” Imee said.

(My heartfelt gratitude to President Bongbong who, despite the anger and extreme cruelty of some, defended me and included me in the alliance.)

When the UniTeam alliance began to show deep cracks in November 2023, following former president Rodrigo Duterte’s word war with House lawmakers led by Speaker Martin Romualdez and the confidential funds issue of Vice President Sara Duterte, Imee pledged her allegiance to the Dutertes instead of siding with the Speaker, her first cousin.

The filing of certificates of candidacy is from October 1 to October 8. – Rappler.com