Imee calls colleagues in House 'crocodiles'

Rep. Imee Marcos (LAMP, Ilocos Norte) labeled her House colleagues yesterday as "buwaya" (crocodiles).

"Maraming buwaya diyan sa session hall (There are many crocodiles in the session hall)," an employee of the House secretary quoted Marcos as telling the chamber's personnel.

The eldest daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was guest speaker at the regular Monday flag-raising ceremony of House employees.

Roberto Nazareno, the chamber's secretary-general who attended yesterday's ceremony, told The STAR that he heard Marcos refer to her colleagues as crocodiles.

"But she said it in jest. She was not at all serious. She was laughing," he said.

Joking or not, Marcos offended her colleagues who had learned of her remarks.

"She should not be making such sweeping and irresponsible statement. She should name names," said Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales (LAMP, Mandaluyong City).

He said "buwaya" was a martial law-vintage label referring to corrupt and greedy officials of the regime of Rep. Marcos' late father.

The Ilocos Norte lawmaker also said it was she who first called Malacañang a snake pit.

"I was the first one who said in an interview during my father's regime that the Palace was undoubtedly a snake pit. In fact, it still is, until now," she said.

She showed contempt for the media, claiming they had been and still were biased against her family.

"Kinawawa nila ang pamilya namin," an employee quoted her as saying. (They ganged up on our family).

"You don't have to befriend them, all you have to do is feed them," she said.

The STAR tried but failed last night to reach Marcos for clarification on her remarks. --