HOPING FOR UNITY. Senator Imee Marcos reiterates that she will not be an instrument to worsen the dispute among her friends during the Pandesal Forum in Quezon City on Thursday (October 10, 2024). She said she remains hopeful that her bickering friends will reunite at the proper time. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA – Senator Imee Marcos reiterated on Thursday that she will not be an instrument to worsen the dispute among her "friends" without mentioning names.
Marcos was answering the question why she opted to leave the administration's senatorial slate during the Pandesal Forum in Quezon City.
"Kung may dalawa kang kaibigan na naga-away, anong gagawin mo? Alangan naming, gagatungan mo yung isa para labanan mo nang labanan yung isa? Hindi naman ganun. Talagang pipilitin mo na magkaroon ng landas, magkausap sila, magkaintindihan, magkaunawaan (If you have two friends who are fighting, what will you do? Will you inflame one to attack the other? It's not like that. You will really try to find a path, let them talk, understand each other, to have an understanding)," she said.
"Kung hindi pa panahon, maghihintay ka at kapag nagkaroon ng pagkakataon, ipagkakaisa mo sila kasi kaibigan mo naman lahat yan (If it's not yet the proper time, you'll wait and when you get a chance, you'll unite them because they're all your friends)," she added.
Marcos said her brother, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., understands her position of "refusing to side with anyone."
"Ang pakay ko sa buhay ay magkaisa ang Pilipino. Sabi nga ng tatay ko, isang bansa, isang diwa (My goal in life is to unite Filipinos. As my father said, one country, one spirit)," she said.
She also raised the fact that the administration slate is composed of candidates coming from different parties which she said might be "messy" in the local elections.
President Marcos earlier assured that he is still in full support for the reelection bid of her sister even if she opted to leave the slate, saying "That's her choice." (PNA)
