Palace Questions Imee Marcos’s Ambition Amid San Juanico Bridge Repair
A Palace official raised questions on Friday regarding Sen. Imee Marcos’s recent remarks about “running” for president, linking them to the ongoing rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge. The official’s comments sparked debates about the senator’s political ambitions.
During a press briefing at Malacañang, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro asked if Sen. Imee Marcos’s statements hinted at a clearer political goal. “Lumiliwanag po ba ang ambisyon ni Sen. Imee Marcos?” she said, referring to the senator’s aspirations without specifying details.
San Juanico Bridge Rehabilitation and Political Ambitions
Castro emphasized that since Marcos has served as a senator since 2019, she should be aware of budget allocations related to the San Juanico Bridge under the previous administration. “Well, anyway, naging senador po si mahal na Senadora Imee Marcos since 2019 at malamang po ay alam naman po niya ang naging budget ng dating administrasyon patungkol po dito sa San Juanico bridge,” Castro noted. She added that despite the Duterte administration’s four-year term from 2018 to 2022, no rehabilitation work had been conducted during that period.
Furthermore, the official highlighted that it was only under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration that a thorough inspection revealed the extent of the bridge’s structural damage. “At dapat nga pong magpasalamat po tayo sa panahon po ngayon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. dahil nang nagkaroon ng inspection, doon lamang po nakita na ang lawak na po ng danyos at dapat na kailanganing i-repair sa San Juanico Bridge,” Castro said.
Senator Marcos Responds to Criticism
Sen. Imee Marcos recently questioned the budget allocated for maintaining the decades-old San Juanico Bridge. This prompted House spokesperson Princess Abante to challenge the senator, asking what she had done to help the bridge herself.
In response, Marcos reminded critics that the bridge was constructed during her father’s administration as a symbol of resilience and government care. “Ang San Juanico bridge ay binuo sa administrasyon ng aking ama na simbolismo ng katatagan at pagtutulay ng kalinga ng pamahalaan papunta sa mga mamamayan. Ngayon, pinagdududahan ang tibay at serbisyo nito, pero ang hinahanapan ng [solusyon] ay ako pa rin,” she said.
She further expressed frustration over being the one held responsible for the bridge’s issues. “Bakit ako na senador ang hinahanapan mo ng aksyon, yang amo mo diyan nakatira, bakit hindi mo tanungin? Lahat kayo sa akin nakatingin—sana ako na lang nag Presidente,” Marcos added.
Current Status and Measures on San Juanico Bridge
Due to structural concerns, a three-ton axle load limit has been enforced since May 8 to ensure safety. A comprehensive rehabilitation project worth P900 million is underway and expected to last two years.
To oversee security, safety, and coordination during repairs, the Office of Civil Defense created the San Juanico Task Group. Additionally, a state of calamity was declared over Eastern Visayas to accelerate repair efforts and implement measures that will minimize the impact on residents in Samar and Leyte.
For more news and updates on San Juanico bridge rehabilitation, visit Filipinokami.com.