Imee uses 'democracy' in reaction to proposals to ban Marcos events in UP

MANILA- Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos on Thursday shrugged off criticism over her and the now-defunct Kabataan Barangay's reunion at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD).

This, after the UPD student council condemned the said reunion which was held at the UP Bahay ng Alumni.

"Sanay na sanay na ako," Marcos told reporters.

(I am very used to it.)

Asked to comment on the proposal to ban her family's election-related events in the Quezon City campus, Marcos welcomed the idea but noted the importance of "freedom of expression."

“We live in a democracy. Okay lang kung 'yun ang gusto nila,” she said.

(That's fine if that's what they want.)

“Pero syempre, talagang importante ang academic freedom, freedom of expression, lahat ng democractic ideals so kung ipinagbabawal, nasa kanila yun pero mas maganda talaga na lahat welcome,” Marcos added.

(But of course, academic freedom, freedom of expression, and all democratic ideals are important. It's up to them but it would be better if everyone is welcome.)

The proposal came as several faculty members and alumni of the university denounced the reunion of the Marcos-led Kabataang Barangay, which was part of the martial law infrastructure and functioned as an ideological campaign center.

Earlier, University of the Philippines President Danilo Concepcion apologized for attending the reunion of a now-defunct pro-Marcos youth group in the state university's Diliman campus, which drew ire on social media.

Concepcion, who was president of the Kabataang Barangay Federation in Metro Manila from 1976 to 1978, said he "deeply regrets" the pain his attendance at the reunion caused to the UP community.

I intended no offense, most especially to the UP community that I serve. My desire to be with old-time friends I had not seen for decades, no matter how briefly, made me overlook its effect on the sentiments of the UP community. Tao lang po!" Concepcion said in a statement.

UPD Vice President for Public Affairs Butch Dalisay had said the state university is open to all political beliefs amid criticism over the reunion.

"As a public university, UP is open to the expression of all political beliefs and persuasions," he said.

• Criticized for Imee event, UP says open to all political views

Sen. Cynthia Villar earlier said Marcos will run for senator next year under the Nacionalista Party.

The governor's brother, defeated vice presidential bet Bongbong Marcos, meanwhile still has a pending election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.

If he wins his poll protest against Robredo and becomes vice president, he will become the constitutional successor to the presidency.