Sara, Imee ITIM campaign a dark alliance, says party-list

April 16, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Kabataan party-list described the “ITIM” (black) campaign of presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte as a dark alliance, which should instead be renamed “UnITIM 2.0” (unity of darkness).

According to Kabataan party-list national spokesperson and first nominee Renee Co, the two politicians are just using the anger of the voters, especially of Mindanaoans, for their personal political agendas.

Imee has tried hard to get Sara’s endorsement for her senatorial bid in May 12. The senator, who chairs the Senate committee on foreign relations, has conducted three public hearings on the legality of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court’s custody in The Hague – a move described by critics as a waste of taxpayers’ money.

“This is fake. Imee needs Mindanao votes to save her Senate seat. Sara needs Senate votes to save her VP seat from conviction and for better chances to become president in 2028. This is about revenge and ambition, not service for the nation,” Co said in a statement.

“The future in ‘UnITIM 2.0’ of Imee and Sara is dark. What we need is not ‘unity’ or ‘alliance’ of the ruling dynasties, but unity of ordinary Filipinos for true change,” she added.

Co asked voters not to vote for candidates representing darkness as well as traditional politicians, or trapos.

She also took a swipe at senatorial candidate Camille Villar for claiming that her father Manny Villar is the “best campaign manager” in the world.

“What campaign are they sticking to? Nationwide land-grabbing? (This is) effective to enrich and plant debt of gratitude to the voters and fellow politicians. Their best campaign tactic: Hanap. Usap. Deal (Search. Talk. Deal),” Co said, alluding to the popular tagline of an online marketplace.

Co said that for the Villars, elections are decided by the friends and riches you can own, not the voters you can win over.

“And Camille is even proud of this. She’s not an advocate of the youth or anything else but their property empire. Don’t let them own our government and our future too,” Co said.

The Villars are known Duterte allies despite Camille’s inclusion in the administration’s Alyansa senatorial slate.

Co urged the youth and the masses to stand up and fight for change in the political landscape of the country.