Imee unsure of running for Senate seat in 2019

TACLOBAN CITY , Philippines – Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos said she is not certain yet if she will be joining the administration's senatorial line up for the 2019 elections.

Imee, in a press conference at the DZR Airport in Tacloban City during her visit this week, cited the stern requirements of President Rodrigo Duterte in choosing his party's Senate bets for the midterm polls next year.

"I am not so sure of running for a Senate seat, but I will always defend the decision of the President," she told The Freeman and The Philippine Star.

However, while stating she is not sure yet of her plans, she admitted that she has been making the rounds of the provinces in the country, and helping in government advocacies and projects. "I've been to Mindanao to help. Malayo pa kasi ang election," she said to the reporters.

The 62-year-old governor also expressed optimism that she has the support of the so-called Solid North, the Waray country and some provinces where she believed she still have high numbers of supporters, if ever her senatorial ambition will push through. She is now courting Mindanao, the bailiwick of Duterte, she admitted.

Imee further told the local media that she now more interested on the ongoing recount of ballots, based on the electoral protest by his younger brother, former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., against Vice President Leni Robredo.

With the remaining 150,000 ballots still to undergo recount and checking, Imee said she is confident that the protest will be resolved and the recount be completed in the soonest possible time.