AS the 20th Congress approaches, political maneuvering in the Senate has intensified, with Senator Imee Marcos surfacing as a potential contender for the chamber’s top post.
Though she has not formally declared her intent, Marcos confirmed that some of her colleagues have broached the idea of her stepping into the Senate presidency.
This development signals growing unrest within the upper chamber’s leadership structure and comes as Marcos continues to distance herself from her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with whom she has publicly disagreed on several national matters—including the controversial extradition of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a brief statement, Marcos underscored the need for sweeping institutional changes, regardless of who takes the helm.
“Whoever will be elected by our peers, whether it is me or not, there are certain congressional reforms that need to be undertaken,” the senator said in a statement.
Reforms in budget processes and party systems are in order, she said, adding that these are not personal issues but about restoring public trust.
Marcos has aligned herself with a bloc of senators closely associated with Vice President Sara Duterte, confirming she will join their ranks when Congress reconvenes.
Her alliance with the Duterte group further highlights the widening gap between her and the President’s legislative allies.
Despite these rumblings, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada downplayed the likelihood of a leadership shake-up.
He voiced confidence that Senate President Francis Escudero retains enough support to weather the emerging dissent. Estrada also dismissed rumors that he might assume a temporary leadership role, calling such talk “unfounded.”
Meanwhile, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, newly reelected and now on his fifth term, has expressed interest in reclaiming the leadership role he once held.
