Padilla and Marcos, a grab from her political ad

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Robin Padilla, president of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP)- Laban, has officially endorsed the reelection of Sen. Imee Marcos in the coming May 2025 elections. 

In a 30-second material released on Saturday (April 12), the ad featured a conversation between Padilla and Marcos discussing the industries she will focus on once reelected, particularly in Mindanao. 

Padilla’s endorsement came after Marcos withdrew her ties with administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas following her explosive Senate inquiry on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

PDP-Laban has not made any statement if its president’s endorsement meant the party’s adoption of the president’s sister. 

Shortly after, photos of her and Vice President Sara Duterte also made rounds further fueling long-held rumors that the former is also endorsing Imee even amid her family’s feud with the country’s chief executive. 

Controversial filmmaker Darryl Yap posted the photos on his Facebook account throwing in some hints making netizens think something could be brewing between Sara and Imee. 

A Duterte endorsement of Imee has long been a guessing game. 

In past interviews, the younger Duterte has repeatedly said there has never been any endorsement talks that happened between her and the reelectionist senator, however she expressed gratitude to Imee for launching the probe that exposed the details of the arrest of the former leader. 

However, Imee’s potential inclusion in the PDP-Laban slate isn’t quite a welcomed idea, said senatorial bet Raul Lambino. In an interview with Republika News, Lambino said Imee isn’t warming to the party despite leading the probe that exposed the supposed illegalities of the arrest of their chairman. 

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