Imee Marcos unfazed by Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘kill senators’ remark

Sen. Imee Marcos —File photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Imee Marcos, a presidential sister and a known Duterte ally,  is unfazed by ex-President Rodrigo Duterte’s joke about killing 15 senators, saying that she was not afraid because she was well-loved by the former chief executive.

In a press conference, Marcos uttered a wordplay after she was asked to comment on the matter.

“Maybe they are a hindrance. Do you know that? They aren’t loved. As for me, I’m not afraid because I’m loved. Maybe they are hindrances that’s why they are nervous,” Marcos told reporters in Filipino.

Spelled in reverse, the word “balakid” becomes “di ka lab,” which in English means “you’re not loved.”

READ: Rodrigo Duterte faces sedition rap for ‘kill senators’ quip

“I am used to Davao trashtalk. Without passing judgment that it’s right or wrong, it feels like we got used to throwing shade. I’m not a hindrance. That’s why I am not afraid,” Marcos said.

Duterte made his joke at the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) senatorial proclamation rally at Club Filipino in San Juan City on Thursday.

He said killing 15 senators would create more vacancies for the senatorial bets he was endorsing.

Duterte’s remark drew mixed reactions from lawmakers in both chambers of Congress.

Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said there was a need to leave the matter to the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation.

He added, however, his insight on the matter before concluding his statement.

“A person’s obsession with the topic of death and killing, mentioning it every time he or she speaks, is a worrying sign of a serious personality disorder,” Pimentel said then.