Imee Marcos: Tobacco funds probe all about 2019 plans
Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, left, is sworn as her mother Imelda, right, widow of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, looks on during a congressional inquiry at the House of Representatives in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines on Tuesday July 25, 2017. The inquiry is based on a resolution filed by Majority Leader Rodolfo Farinas asking the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to look into the alleged anomalous vehicle purchases of the Ilocos Norte province using the tobacco excise tax fund. Six employees of the provincial government who were cited in contempt and detained for being evasive in their answers during the hearings were also released Tuesday. AP/Aaron Favila
MANILA, Philippines — Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos on Wednesday admitted that she thinks that the House of Representatives inquiry into her alleged misuse of P66.5 million in tobacco funds is all about politics.
Earlier this week, Marcos showed up at the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability's hearing in honor of the subpoena issued against her.
"I think it's all about the 2019 [plans]," Marcos said in an interview with ANC's Headstart when asked if the present allegations against her can affect her political plans.
The eldest daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos will be constitutionally barred from seeking reelection in 2019, leaving her open to pursuing other positions.
READ: Imee Marcos attends House probe into alleged misuse of tobacco funds
She also referenced HBO series "Game of Thrones" to express her desire to make amends with her political rival Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.
Fariñas was the one who filed House Resolution 882, asking the House panel to look into the alleged misuse of tobacco excise tax funds to the provincial government for projects to help tobacco farmers.
"I’m always hopeful that a peaceful negotiation can be made. Ang layu-layo pa ng eleksyon sa totoo lang kung 'Game of Thrones, the north remembers.' 'Wag naman siguro 'Winter is coming,' nakaka-nerbyos naman 'yung ganun," Marcos said.
"Inaasahan ko na talagang magawan ng paraan at kung hindi naman pulitika ito, tutulong ako sa lahat ng aking kaalaman na makagawa tayo ng mas magagandang batas at mas magagandang proseso," she added.
Marcos also said that she did not want to bother President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the allegations against her.
"The president’s aware of the issue. Obviously, he reads the newspapers. Abalang-abala siya na yung mga courts talagang tine-threaten. Ayaw niya 'yung ganon at ayoko na siyang dagdagan ng problema," Marcos said.
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