Senator Robin Padilla throws support behind Imee Marcos’ independent reelection bid, days after she left the administration coalition over Duterte’s arrest and ICC extradition.
MANILA — Senator Robin Padilla, president of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP-Laban), has officially endorsed the reelection bid of fellow Senator Imee Marcos, who is now running independently after parting ways with her brother’s administration-backed political slate.
The endorsement, posted in a video on Marcos’ official Facebook page on April 12, 2025, shows Padilla and Marcos discussing shared advocacies, including support for local industries and the importance of legislative independence. “She is a principled leader who continues to defend the Filipino,” Padilla said in the video.
Padilla’s endorsement is widely seen as a strategic and symbolic move, especially following Marcos’ controversial decision to exit the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas—President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s endorsed Senate slate. Imee Marcos cited “differences in ideals and principles” as her reason for leaving, particularly in the wake of the government’s handling of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and planned extradition to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a previous statement, Imee Marcos declared:
“I cannot stand on the same campaign platform as the rest of the Alyansa. As I have stated from the outset of the election period, I will continue to maintain my independence.”
Her departure fueled speculation of a growing rift between the Marcos siblings, especially after her name was noticeably absent from official endorsements during administration rallies.
Imee Marcos, chair of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, is known for championing regional development, micro-enterprise support, and cultural preservation. Her track record includes spearheading programs that support farmers, indigenous communities, and the creative economy.
Robin Padilla, for his part, has built a public persona grounded in nationalism and constitutional reform. As a popular actor-turned-senator, Padilla’s backing carries strong grassroots appeal. While PDP-Laban has not officially announced whether it will include Marcos in its senatorial slate, Padilla’s personal endorsement could influence both party members and voters.
The growing alliance between the two senators may signal the formation of a new bloc in the Senate—one defined less by party lines and more by shared values rooted in sovereignty, justice, and regional empowerment.
As the campaign period intensifies, the Padilla-Marcos alliance has emerged as one to watch—bridging populist appeal with experienced governance at a time of national political recalibration.
