Imee Files Senate Bid; Vows to Be ‘Voice’ of Provinces

Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Josefa Imelda “Imee” Marcos vowed to represent people from the provinces as she filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator on Tuesday.

“Kailangan rin ng pag-unawa, higit sa lahat, ng kinatawan ng lokal at importante kasi ‘yung mga taga-probinsya ‘yung mambubukid at pati na rin mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) ay may kinatawan sa Senado para marinig naman ng ibang boses (We should also understand the locals, especially those living in the provinces, farmers and also OFWs. Somebody should represent them in the Senate. A new voice),” Marcos told reporters.

She said she is unfazed by the negative impression of many Filipinos of her family.

“Kung worried ako, wala sana ako dito. Pero palagay ko, may pagbabago na rin ng pag-unawa ng nakalipas (If I am worried, I won’t be here. But now, I think there has been a change in the understanding of what happened in the past). So I think that the new generation, particularly the millennial generation, so called, (is) ready to hear our side of the story,” Marcos said.

“Sa palagay ko ang ating bansa ay handa na na makarinig ng iba pang isipan at marinig rin ang aming side of the story, ika nga (As I said, I think the people are ready to hear our thoughts and our side of the story),” she added.

Marcos was accompanied by her brother, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and her three sons, Michael, Matthew and Borgy. She is running under the Nacionalista Party banner.

Marcos served as representative of the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte for three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2007. She was elected Ilocos Norte governor thrice — in 2010, 2013, and 2016.

Meanwhile, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Pia Cayetano is making a comeback at the Senate as she also filed her COC for the May 2019 mid-term polls on the fourth day of the filing period.

She vowed to continue what she has begun at the Upper Chamber.

“When it comes to my actions, I think my record speaks for itself. From the time I was in the Senate, I fought for the reproductive health bill,” she added.

“Look at my track record. I will continue to fight for women, for health care,” Cayetano said. (PNA)