Political family feud

It was an unexpected invitation to have lunch and meet Sen. Imee Marcos, especially because I am a business columnist.

I was initially not sure if I should go to the lunch invitation at the La Cabrera in EDSA Shangri-La since politics is not normally what I write about in the business section of The STAR.

But I was curious enough to want to find out about the Marcos family feud, especially since STAR editor-in-chief Amy Pamintuan, associate editor Marichu Villanueva, Opinion page columnists Cito Beltran and Alex Magno, Lifestyle columnist Wilson Lee Flores, Philippine Daily Inquirer business editor Tina Dumlao and a couple of other editors and columnists from other publications were also invited, and it seemed a big announcement would be made.

True enough, Sen. Imee formally announced her decision to leave her brother’s Alyansa senatorial slate, admitting that there was no sense in staying with the Alyansa coalition party since her own brother was not even inviting her to the provincial sorties and was publicly declaring a slate of only 11 candidates. Her announcement was just formal confirmation.

What was interesting to me were the insights into the Marcos siblings’ dynamics that Sen. Imee candidly shared, as well as her thoughts about the younger generation of voters.

First off, acknowledging her “Waray” roots from her mother’s side and her role as the “kontrabida,” she promises to fight on and question her brother and his political allies’ actions on the budget, addressing economic problems – particularly on rice, agriculture and fishery and of course on their recent actions against former president Rodrigo Duterte, as well as our international relations with the US and China, warning that all these are depressing the business sector.

She lamented that the current administration is not spending enough on infrastructure which the business sector is clamoring for, and is instead allocating the budget on “kalokohan and so-called “social protection.”

“The budget is so awful… we’re spending nothing on important infrastructure like digital or research... instead we have all of this kalokohan, seriously all the kuno social protection na hindi naman totoo, kainis. Yung iniiyak ng business community, yung mga infra, my God...” Sen. Imee decried.

She readily admits that during a recent visit to Candon, Ilocos Sur, she was scolded by some of the elders for fighting with and not taking care of her baby brother as she is the manang or elder sister. However, she argues, that specifically because she is the manang, he should also show some respect and listen to her.

Unfortunately, Sen. Imee admits, the President no longer heeds her advice. In fact, she reveals, they stopped talking to each other as far back as 2021. Asked specifically who are those around the President that have influenced him and added to their rift, she tactfully ignored the question.

For most of us who have siblings, we know that sibling rivalries are part and parcel of being a family, and unfortunately upon adulthood could actually tear families apart, especially when it comes to inheritance issues or differing business and political views. The Marcos family is, thus, no different from the majority.

While she is not at odds with her younger sister Irene Araneta, Sen. Imee said that most of their interactions nowadays are reduced to simple hi’s and hello’s. Her own kids’ relationship with their cousins, she said, remains cordial.

In a video interview and tour of Malacañang with Toni Gonzaga, even the President had inadvertently admitted that he is not close to his elder sister.

However, Sen. Imee acknowledges that because of her current standing, even the political fortune of her son, Ilocos Norte governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc has also been affected and his numbers are down.

The most recent political polling results show that her political support has fallen, reflecting that neither her brother’s party nor the Duterte camp are committed to supporting her.

When asked her reaction, she said, “You know what, I’m trying to survive to 2025, as my father would say, 2028 is a lifetime away in politics.”

She could not help adding though, “So yung mga ambisyon dyan at panay ang plano at panay ipon, ang dapat gawin nila magtrabaho na lang sila, manatiling malapit sa taong bayan, at higit sa lahat magdasal kasi galing sa langit ang pagiging pangulo, Amen.” (To those who are ambitious and constantly plan and save, what they should do is work and stay close to the people, and more importantly, pray to heaven because it is heaven that grants the presidency).

She candidly admits that her son is not interested in entering the national political scene in the future like his cousin Sandro and his maternal uncle, Speaker Martin Romualdez, who according to political chatter, are interested in joining the political fray in 2028 and beyond.

When asked about her own chances in the upcoming local elections, Sen. Imee assures that she is ready to campaign on her own even up to the barangay level. She had early on said that she is running as an independent and is ready to palm press each and every single voter if need be.

It was interesting though to hear her observation about the younger generation of Filipino voters, who she revealed are not easily swayed by offers of money, free rides or free food to attend political rallies.

What she has observed is that the younger generation will attend a political rally only if there is entertainment provided by a musical band. They come to watch the band play and depart after.

Sen. Imee has observed that the younger generation of voters are very opinionated, but that most of their opinions are shaped by social media.

During our lunch, Sen. Imee briefly had to step out to greet former House Speaker Manny Villar who had coincidentally dropped by La Cabrera to take a very light and quick lunch of his favorite provoleta cheese, which is an Argentine variant of provolone cheese.

It was, thus, a very interesting lunch meeting with Sen. Imee who impressed me with her broad knowledge of political, legislative and historical matters.

However, like most journalists, I also get to hear opposing views from those of Sen. Imee. But like I pointed out earlier, I am a business columnist and prefer to delve into issues that have an economic impact on our country.