Imee Marcos calls Escudero 'ambitious'

Metro Manila, Philippines - It’s Senator Imee Marcos’ turn to hit back at Senate President Chiz Escudero and said he is the "ambitious" one after telling her to stop using the Senate for political gain.

Marcos has been leading the Senate probe on the arrest for former President Rodrigo Duterte over crimes against humanity for murder due to his brutal drug war.

Vice President Sara Duterte and PDP Laban president Senator Robin Padilla have endorsed her re-election bid.

“'Yung ginagamit para sa pulitika, nakakatuwa naman kasi alam naman natin na siya 'yung ambisyoso. Ako 'yung nakalimutan ngang mangampanya na,” Marcos said in a virtual press conference on Tuesday, April 15.

[Translation: The issue of using the Senate for politics, that’s funny because we know that he is the ambitious one. I even forgot to campaign for myself.]

Asked if Escudero is eyeing to run in the 2028 national elections, Marcos said she is unsure but said the Senate leader always has plans.

“'Di ko alam pero alam ko mataas 'yung iniisip nu'n at syempre bagong Kongreso, syempre bago na naman ang Senate president. Siguro baka nate-tense,” she said.

[Translation: I do not know but I know he has high ambitions. Also, the opening of the next Congress is near, there will be a new Senate president. Maybe he is tense.]

“'Di ko alam, maski Senate presidency kasi maraming papasok na datihan, hindi natin alam,” the senator added.

[Translation: I don’t know, maybe even the Senate presidency because many candidates who were previous senators may return if they win.]

During the previous hearing on Duterte’s arrest, Marcos and other senators ordered the detention of special ambassador on transnational crime Markus Lacanilao for alleged lying.

Escudero, who believed Lacanilao was not accorded due process, released him. The Senate president instead issued a show cause order to ask the envoy to explain why he should not be cited for contempt.

READ: SP Escudero to Imee Marcos: Stop using Senate for your political objectives

Marcos told Escudero to revisit the Senate rules as there is no mention of the issuance of a show cause order.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.