Imee Marcos Thanks Duterte Family After Senate Win

SENATOR-ELECT Imee Marcos extended her gratitude to the Duterte family after clinching the final spot in the 2025 senatorial elections—a notable gesture amid years of political tension between the Marcos and Duterte camps.

Marcos, who secured 12th place with 13,258,708 votes, made no mention of her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in her proclamation speech. Instead, she focused on expressing appreciation for their longtime allies, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, who publicly endorsed her despite their strained ties with the current administration.

“To President Duterte, our former president who raised my hand as early as October last year, and to his daughter, VP Inday Sara, who continued to campaign for me until the very end, thank you,” Marcos said in Filipino during her speech. “This victory, although elusive and difficult, is proof that when you stand for what is right, you will win.”

Her remarks come when the Marcos-Duterte alliance has visibly fractured, highlighted by President Marcos Jr.’s decision to exclude his sister from the administration’s official senatorial slate under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas. That move followed Imee’s leadership in a Senate inquiry into the controversial arrest of former President Duterte, a probe perceived by many as a challenge to the Palace.

Despite being dropped from her brother’s coalition, Marcos received a boost from the Duterte camp. VP Sara Duterte—whose relationship with the President has also been strained—campaigned for Imee until the last leg of the elections, a move believed to have helped secure her reelection.

When asked after her proclamation why she didn’t mention her brother, Imee responded casually, “Ay, nalimutan ko na. Wala akong kodigo eh (I forgot. I didn’t have notes with me).”

Marcos also addressed rumors that she may be eyeing the Senate presidency, saying she has no such plans.

 “Wala akong naiisip. Gusto ko lang maproklama (I have no plans. I just want to be proclaimed),”  she said, adding that her current focus is simply on being officially declared a winner.

Regarding the possible impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Marcos said she would withhold judgment until all evidence is presented. However, in earlier interviews, she signaled openness to presiding over the proceedings if chosen, promising to handle the trial with fairness and impartiality.

Marcos also reaffirmed her strong stance against the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into former President Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. 

She has called the ICC probe a violation of Philippine sovereignty, arguing that the country’s judicial system is capable of addressing human rights issues without foreign intervention. She continues to support calls for the government to reject cooperation with the ICC. DEF