Imee reveals Speaker upset at her for supporting, siding with Dutertes

Sen. Imee Marcos —Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos disclosed on Tuesday that her cousin, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, has been quite upset at her since October last year after she openly expressed her support for the Dutertes.

Marcos made the revelation after she was asked by some reporters if they were on good terms and if she already made an effort to reach out to Romualdez.

“Si speaker alam ko may tampo sa akin mula pa October. Bakit ako kumakampi sa mga Duterte? Sabi ko di ako kumakampi, sa akin lang kasamahan natin yan, kaalyado natin yan higit sa lahat kaibigan na wala namang ginagawang masama bakit natin aawayin?” the senator said.

(From what I know, Speaker Romualdez has been upset with me since October for siding with the Dutertes. I told him I’m not siding with them, but we should not incite conflict against them since they are our allies and friends.)

“Kasagsagan nung October nung confidential ek ek, tsaka ICC lahat ng issues sa mag amang Duterte sabi ko nga bakit natin inaaway di ko magets,” she stressed.

(It started in October after the father and daughter got plagued with issues on confidential funds and the International Criminal Court. I said: I don’t get it. Why are we fighting them?)

Marcos also clarified that her cousin’s silent treatment does not affect her, pointing out that they are just doing their jobs, and it just so happens that they have different priorities for bettering the country.

“Trabaho lang ito hindi naman ako galit sa kanya eh. Ang problema talaga hindi kami magkasundo sa pananaw at hindi ako naniniwala na pinakaimportanteng bagay sa buhay ng pilipino ngayon ang pagbabago ng constitution, hindi sya ang pinagaabalahan ng bawat pamilya pilipino,” the senator said.

(This is what we do; I’m not mad at him. The problem is that our priorities don’t align, and I don’t believe that revising the constitution is the most important thing for Filipinos. This is not the priority of every Filipino family.)

Although they are not on speaking terms, Marcos divulged she and Romualdez are civil and even greeted each other “Merry Christmas” at the American Embassy.

“In good terms naman nagkikibuan naman. Kahit di kami pareho ng pananaw nag greet naman ng Merry Christmas sa American Embassy,” the senator revealed.

(We are on good terms; we’re civil. Although we have different opinions, we greeted each other Merry Christmas at the American Embassy.)

READ: Romualdez: ‘We should all support and respect the Vice President’

INQUIRER.net has sought Romualdez’s side for a comment, but he has yet to reply as of posting time.

Early last year, rumors became rampant that Romualdez, Vice President, and Education Secretary Sara Duterte were not on good terms. Although it was unclear where such information started, Romualdez clarified in July 2023 that he and the Vice President are okay.

READ: Speaker Romualdez on alleged rift with VP Sara: We’re good

The lawmaker even declared his respect and support for everyone in the government, including Duterte, on December 17.

His explicit pronouncement stemmed from a rather peculiar encounter in Japan, where he was greeted by a Filipino worker carrying a placard that said, “Please support VP Inday Sara Duterte.”

“I agree with the overseas Filipino worker who greeted me in Japan with a placard bearing a significant message. We should all support and respect the Vice President, the same respect and support that we should extend to the President and other government officials,” Romualdez said.