VP Sara endorses Sen. Imee; emphasizes ‘ITIM’ is the current color of the country

Vice President Sara Duterte has officially endorsed re-electionist Senator Imee Marcos for the 2025 National and Local Elections.

In Senator Imee’s latest Facebook post on Monday, April 14, a campaign video was shared featuring the vice president.

“Iboto si Senator Imee,” VP Sara said at the end of the video.

Titled “ITIM (Inday Trusts Imee Marcos),” the video shows the two wearing black—symbolizing what they described as “the prevailing color of the nation” due to the numerous issues it is grappling with, such as poverty, crime and injustice.

“Itim ngayon ang kulay ng bansa, sa gutom at krimen nagluluksa,” Duterte said.

“Gutom na ang sikmura, gutom pa sa hustisya. Ginigipit ang hindi kaalyansa,” Marcos said.

ITIM also stands for “Ilaban ang Tama, Itama ang Mali.”

The political campaign ad served as an official confirmation of Duterte’s endorsement of Marcos, putting an end to months of speculation about their relationship following the Vice President’s decision to sever all political ties with Sen. Imee’s brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. 

Senator Marcos officially withdrew from the administration’s senatorial slate, “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas” last March. 

The senator reportedly said that she would continue running as an independent candidate instead.

“I cannot stand on the same campaign platform as the rest of the Alyansa. As I have stated from the outset of the election period, I will continue to maintain my independence,” she said.

Senator Marcos led the Senate hearings on the alleged illegal arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 11, in connection with charges of “crimes against humanity.” He was immediately brought to the ICC Detention Center in The Hague, Netherlands.

In an interview, VP Sara said that she and Senator Imee remain friends despite the ongoing political rift between their families.