Imee Marcos braves House’s arrest threat, attends Duterte Sona

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos. Marc Jayson Cayabyab/INQUIRER.net

Despite threats of being arrested, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos showed up at the House of Representatives on Monday to show support for President Rodrigo Duterte.

Marcos arrived at the House ahead of the 4 p.m. schedule of Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (Sona).

“Nandito lang ako para sa Sona, ayoko rumampa, tinatamad at medyo nanganganib baka mapaaga pa ‘yung pagkulong sa akin,” she said in an interview with DZMM TeleRadyo.

(I am here for the Sona, not to walk the ramp, because I am not in the mood and I am in danger of getting arrested by the House.)

The governor was apparently referring to the House’s reported plan to arrest her over the alleged misuse of tobacco excise funds together with six detained provincial officials dubbed as “The Ilocos Six.”

“Andito lang ako for full support kay Presidente Duterte at para maki-chika lang ng konti sa mga natitirang kaibigan,” Marcos added, saying she would just watch from her mother Imelda Marcos’ office.

(I am here to give my full support to President Duterte and chat with my few loyal friends.)

Marcos also called for the public to support Duterte on the country’s issues.

“Basta inaasahan ko na talagang marami siyang ibabalita. At syempre isang taon (ang lumipas) sobrang taas ng expectations ng tao sa pagbabago. Pero kung tutuusin nabigyan tayo ng bagong buhay at ‘yung pagbabago kinakailangan din manggaling sa atin. ‘Wag natin iasa lahat sa pangulo. Napakarami niyang problema, sunud-sunod. Tulungan na lang natin,” she added.

(I expect him to share a lot. One year has passed and the people have high expectations for change to come. But come to think of it, we were granted a new lease at life, and change must also come from us. Let’s not just rely on the President. He has a lot of problems, having to face them successively. We also need to help him.) IDL/rga