The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) has adopted Senator Imee Marcos and Representative Camille Villar as guest candidates in its senatorial slate for the 2025 midterm elections.
This decision was announced on the final day of the campaign, with the party citing shared values and the need for more allies to protect Vice President Sara Duterte from potential impeachment.
In an official resolution posted on social media, the PDP instructed all its members to give their full support to both Marcos and Villar. The party emphasized that it stands behind leaders who are committed to addressing the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people through legislation and policy initiatives that align with PDP’s core goals.
“Maria Imelda ‘Imee’ Marcos and Camille A. Villar were personally endorsed by Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte,” the resolution stated.
“There is a need for more allies to protect the vice president from impeachment,” the party added, noting that it is also strategic for PDP to complete its 12-person senatorial slate.
Earlier in the campaign season, both Marcos and Villar had been included in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas” senatorial lineup. However, Senator Marcos distanced herself from the administration camp following the arrest and detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands.
Representative Villar also stepped back from Alyansa activities after her family voiced opposition to Duterte’s detention and prosecution at the ICC. She notably skipped Alyansa’s final campaign rally (miting de avance) in Mandaluyong last Friday.
“The party will deploy all available resources, logistical support, and campaign infrastructure to promote their candidacies,” the PDP resolution affirmed.
“All members, officers, and supporters of PDP at every level are hereby instructed to extend their full support to Imee Marcos and Camille Villar by actively including them in sample ballots and participating in efforts deemed vital to the success of the senatorial campaign,” it continued.
Despite the PDP’s mention of impeachment concerns, Vice President Duterte clarified during a campaign event in Digos City that she has never framed her senatorial endorsements around the issue of impeachment.
“I never said that the campaign for these senators is about impeachment. As I mentioned earlier, impeachment is a separate matter entirely,” she told reporters.
“I’ve already accepted whatever outcome may result — whether I am found guilty or acquitted — and I’m at peace with that,” she added.
“For me, winning the vice presidency with 32.6 million votes is already a huge accomplishment,” Duterte said.
