The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) has formally adopted Senator Imee Marcos and Representative Camille Villar as guest candidates in its senatorial lineup for the 2025 midterm elections, a move described by the party as part of efforts to ensure protection for Vice President Sara Duterte against an impending impeachment trial.
In a resolution posted on social media, the PDP instructed all party members to offer “full support” to Marcos and Villar, citing their dedication to legislative advocacy and alignment with the party’s principles. The decision was underscored by the party’s emphasis on the “need for more allies to protect the vice president from impeachment.”
The resolution also highlighted that Marcos and Villar were personally endorsed by Vice President Duterte and initially launched as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas” senatorial slate earlier this year. However, the two shifted their political alignment after former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and detention at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.
“The party shall deploy all available resources, logistical support, and campaign infrastructure to advance the candidacy of Imee Marcos and Camille Villar,” the PDP resolution stated, adding that all members must actively support their candidacy.
Despite the mention of her impeachment, Vice President Duterte denied making impeachment defense a primary reason for supporting Marcos and Villar’s candidacy.
“Never ko sinabi na ang campaign for the senators is for the impeachment because as I said earlier, the impeachment is a different matter altogether,” Duterte clarified to reporters during a campaign event in Digos City.
Duterte, who faces an impeachment trial in the Senate expected to begin in late July, has maintained that she is ready to face the process.
“Natanggap ko na kung ano yung puwedeng kahatnan niya: Puwede akong mabigyan ng guilty verdict, puwede ako mabigyan ng acquittal, and okay na ako doon,” she said.
The impeachment trial stems from accusations of questionable spending by her office and for allegedly issuing a kill threat against President Marcos Jr.
