Imelda wants Bongbong to run for president

MANILA, Philippines – With her only son out as vice presidential candidate of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Former first lady Imelda Marcos reportedly wants Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to run for president in 2016.

Mrs. Marcos, now an Ilocos Norte congresswoman, summoned top officials of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) to an emergency meeting and informed them that she wanted her son to run for president in the 2016 elections, a source bared yesterday.

The source told The STAR that Mrs. Marcos met in San Juan Saturday with at least 20 KBL leaders, including several retired generals loyal to the Marcos family.

“I want Bongbong to run as president, not vice president,” the source quoted Mrs. Marcos as saying.

She is the titular head of KBL, which her late husband – the dictator and namesake of her son – founded in 1978.

Sources said the congresswoman showed a mother’s instinct in helping her son make the right decision for the 2016 elections.

Marcos said she wants to help her son in the political campaign and also in finding his vice presidential bet.

“Madame Imelda is already talking to a possible running mate of Bongbong once he decides to join the presidential derby,” the source said.

It was the first time that the former first lady presided over a meeting of KBL leaders.

Jose Malvar Villegas, president of the newly formed coalition Pagkaka-isa ng Pilipino Para sa Pilipinas (PPP), welcome the move of Mrs. Marcos to strengthen the KBL.

The KBL and the PPP recently filed a petition for registration at the Commission on Elections as a political party for the 2016 election.

KBL president Vicente Millora said KBL and PPP leaders would set a meeting to discuss possible changes in their political alliance under the guidance and leadership of the former first lady.

“The former first lady is just exercising her power as titular head of the KBL,” he said.