Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Imee Marcos insists certain allocations in the national budget may be intended for political purposes, including a fresh impeachment attempt against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Marcos said this is the only explanation for the ballooning of funds for social assistance programs and farm-to-market road projects – sources of so-called political exploitation.
The senator added she opposed the contentious provisions during bicameral conference committee meetings finalizing the 2026 budget, but failed.
“Para sa akin, wala itong uuwian kundi pulitika [For me, this will lead to nothing but politics],” Marcos said in an online media interview on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
“It’s a very political budget to my mind and does not make an investment for future development,” she added.
Earlier, Marcos released a video claiming that certain budget items were “fattened” to support the impeachment of Duterte, whom she considers a close friend and ally, despite the Dutertes’ rivalry with her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The senator admitted she has no proof that lawmakers were promised funds to back the impeachment, calling her own claim speculative.
“I believe that the suspicion necessarily will arise – malicious and unproven perhaps – that all these monies are being set aside for a sinister and political purpose,” she said.
“Kung impeachment ba ‘yun, yung BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) election ba ‘yun or yung barangay election, parang pulitika ang pinag-iipunan,” she added.
[Translation: If it’s for impeachment, BARMM election or barangay election, politics seems to be the motive.]
A new impeachment complaint may be filed against Duterte in February, when the Constitution’s one-year ban on new impeachment cases lapses. The Supreme Court declared the first one unconstitutional for violating the prohibition.
Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro elections and the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections are set for March 30 and Nov. 2, respectively.
Senate and House leaders insist the 2026 General Appropriations Act has sufficient safeguards to prevent misuse of funds. Senate finance committee chairman Win Gatchalian said lawmakers are preparing to create a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the budget implementation.
