Marcos: I don’t meddle in local politics

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Local politics should be left to the local candidates.

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos said that since she is seeking a national post, she has made it a policy not to get involve in local politics to especially avoid from making enemies of her local allies and friends.

Marcos cited the case of the Martinezes and the Salimbangons of the 4th district of Cebu as an example.

The Ilocos Norte Governor said that she is very close with the Martinezes, whom she visited in Bogo City on Friday .  Former Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez was a “classmate” in the House of Representatives while former mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. was also a good friend of the Marcos family.

“They (the Martinezes) have been very helpful, but on the other hand, I don’t like to get involved with local politics because (incumbent 4th district Rep.) Benjur Salimbangon is also a good friend and the congressman has always been helpful to us. So, minsan na iipit ka sa politika when in fact there is no reason (to be).”

“At the end of the day, hindi naman ako boboto sa Cebu so, I don’t really want to take sides. Its very very tough,” Marcos said in an interview during a brief Mandaue City visit on Monday morning, April 8.

Marcos said that she has made it a policy to always avoid political discussions during her Cebu visits.

“Stay away from talking about local politics, only the important things. If our friends said don’t talk about money or religion, in our case, don’t talk about local politics because you will really get stuck. It’s a very tough situation.”

But she still considers herself as lucky since some of their Cebu allies like the Gullases of the first district of Cebu and the Duranos of the fifth district are “almost unopposed.”

“Fortunately there is not to much of an opposition there so, we are all out for Gullas,” she said.

Meanwhile, Marcos said that her inclusion in the top 12 in recent surveys is not an assurance of her victory in the May 13 election.

Although sick with cough and colds, Marcos said that she continues to go around the country to campaign. The Hugpong ng Pagbabago of Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte that is endorsing her candidacy is now doing the Mindanao leg of their campaign.

Marcos said that on her own, she also continues to make her visits of old friends and allies around the country.  She said that the cheers and warm welcome that she would get from locals during her visits does not necessarily translate to votes.

“My father had a policy and I think we have always maintained it that we are always running scared….  Even if we are unopposed, we always go down to the barangay level. You can never take it for granted and the popularity and the warm welcome doesn’t necessarily translate to votes,” she added.