The recent public remarks made by Senator Imee Marcos during the three-day Iglesia ni Cristo rally about her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., have sparked discussions on whether they could form the basis of a legal case.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Atty. Allan Panolong, National President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), weighed in on the legal implications of senator's statements, describing them as “heavy” while noting the uncertainty surrounding her intentions.
"Mabigat ang binitawang pahayag ni Sen. Imee Marcos tungkol sa kaniyang kapatid na si Pang. Bongbong Marcos. Hindi po natin masabi kung ano talaga ang intensyon," Panolong said.
"Sino bang mag-aakala na ‘yung kapatid, ganoon katindi ang binitawang pahayag tungkol sa kanyang kapatid. We cannot really tell kung ano ba [ang intensyon]," he added.
Historically, political rivalries among family members in the Philippines are not unheard of. Panolong pointed out that many instances exist where relatives — including fathers and sons, grandparents and grandchildren, and spouses — have pursued legal action against each other due to political conflicts.
"It is a very sad situation. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na-witness natin [magkapatid na Presidente at senador] sa ating kasaysayan ng pulitika sa ating bansa.
“Ang pahayag ni Sen. Imee was made in public. Pwede pong mayroong isang grupo na maaaring gawin ‘yang basehan sa isang kaso laban sa Pangulo,” Panolong explained.
He emphasized that the strongest credibility would come if Sen. Imee herself were to formally file a complaint, given her personal knowledge of the matter.
However, Panolong stressed that being siblings does not automatically make her claims absolute.
“Ang pinaka-credible mismo ay si Sen. Imee, kung mismong si Sen. Imee ang mismo ang pinaka complainant sa isang kaso ay talagang napakatindi po, napakalakas ng kaso kasi magkapatid sila kumbaga mayroon siyang personal knowledge. But then again, the President is entitled to his day in court," he emphasized.
“Pwede niyang i-refute ang allegations ni Sen. Imee. Hindi naman porket magkapatid kayo ay it is not as if treated as gospel truth ang sasabihin mo lalo na kapag may kulay ng pulitika," Panolong stated.
While legal actions are possible, the IBP chief reminded the public that any attempt to remove a sitting president would likely follow impeachment proceedings, a political rather than purely legal process.
“Impeachment is a political process. We can’t really speculate but it is a political exercise. Maraming pwedeng mangyari. Depending on the political climate. The only way by which the President may be removed from his office is by impeachment,” he said.
Panolong also suggested that a formal statement from the President would help clarify the situation.
"Mas maigi na ang opisina ng pangulo ay maglabas ng kaukulang statement sa bigat ng binitawan ng kaniyang kapatid na si Sen. Imee Marcos. Kinakailangan po it calls for a reaction from the President himself. Nararapat na kanyang sagutin, ano nga ba ang katotohahan? Unang-una, ito ay matagal na nating naririnig na espekulasyon o alegasyon. So, patunayan niya na hindi totoo ‘yun para masatisfy ang publiko," he noted.
On Monday, the senator accused her brother and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos of using illegal drugs.
