Sen. Imee Marcos (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna slammed Sen. Imee Marcos’ bid for the Senate presidency as a “power play for protection.”
Marcos on Friday claimed “some” of her colleagues expressed support for her to replace Senate President Chiz Escudero.
“Tactically, this is a power play not just for control but also for protection,” former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite said in a statement on Saturday.
“If Senator Marcos or a Duterte ally becomes Senate President, we can say goodbye to the possibility of Vice President [Sara] Duterte facing impeachment or any form of accountability for her actions,” he added.
READ: Imee Marcos announces bid for top Senate post
The vice president faces allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and other high crimes.
The complaint against Duterte includes her alleged misuse of up to P612.5 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during her stint as its secretary.
READ: Senate to convene as impeachment court on June 3
The Senate will convene into an impeachment court this coming June 3.
Alliance with the Dutertes
Marcos was initially part of her brother’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate before formally leaving the lineup last March, citing her disagreement with the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
She was then endorsed by Vice President Duterte, appearing together in an ad saying the “color of the country” was black due to crimes and injustice.
On the final night of the campaign, Marcos was adopted into the senatorial slate of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP), the party chaired by former President Duterte.
READ: Imee Marcos thanks ex-Pres Duterte, skips President Marcos in speech
“This alliance is not about governance or accountability. It’s about mutual protection and advancing each other’s political interests. The Senate must be independent, not a rubber stamp for political dynasties,” Gaite said of Sen. Marcos’ ties with the Dutertes. /jpv