Senator Imee Marcos has openly admitted that she owes a huge debt of gratitude to former President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. Even though there are tensions between the Duterte family and her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Imee remains thankful for their past support.
Why Does Imee Marcos Feel Indebted?
Senator Imee explained that she is forever grateful to President Duterte for one big reason—he helped give her late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the burial he always wanted. For many years, several presidents came and went, but none of them allowed Marcos Sr. to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). Even though one of those presidents was a cousin of her father, the burial never happened.
It was only when Rodrigo Duterte became president that Marcos Sr. was finally laid to rest in the prestigious cemetery. As the eldest child of the Marcos family, Imee felt it was her duty to make sure her father got the proper burial. That’s why she feels she owes a great deal to Duterte.
Her Connection with Sara Duterte
Imee Marcos also acknowledged that she is thankful to Vice President Sara Duterte. In 2019, Sara supported Imee’s campaign for the Senate. Then, in the 2022 elections, the Marcos and Duterte families worked together as a political team under the “UniTeam” banner. However, things have since changed, and the two families are no longer getting along.
Caught in the Middle of a Family Feud
Despite the tensions between her brother, President Marcos Jr., and the Dutertes, Imee refuses to take sides. She believes that being independent means staying neutral. She compared the situation to a family conflict—like when two siblings or close friends fight. Instead of getting involved, she prefers to stay out of it, hoping they will eventually talk and resolve their differences.
She admitted that this is one of the hardest things she has ever faced. She wishes that instead of fighting, people would focus on bigger problems in the country—like the rising cost of food, gasoline, and unemployment.
A Call to Action
Senator Imee expressed frustration that while politicians argue, many Filipinos are struggling. She highlighted issues like the skyrocketing price of rice and the increasing number of people losing their jobs. She also mentioned her ongoing advocacy for fair wages, saying that the minimum wage in Cebu should be the same as in Manila.
In the end, Imee Marcos made it clear—while she will always be thankful to the Dutertes, she refuses to be dragged into their fight with her brother. Instead, she hopes they will find a way to reconcile, because the country has bigger issues to deal with.
