Sen. Marcos’ supporters among the earliest to arrive at COC filing venue

Supporters of Senator Imee Marcos gather outside the Manila Hotel on the second day of filing the certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 midterm elections. (Photo from DIANNE SAMPANG / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — With loudspeakers in the background, supporters of Senator Imee Marcos trooped outside the Manila Hotel on Wednesday morning, ahead of the start of the second day of filing the certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 midterm elections.

On Monday, Marcos said she was withdrawing from the administration’s senatorial slate.

READ: Imee Marcos withdraws from admin Senate slate to ‘shield brother, friends’

“Nakikita naman natin sa Maynila, wala namang totoong programa para sa pabahay. Palaging press release yan. Pero naniniwala kami kay Senator Imee na yung programa para sa mahihirap, mai-implement nya sa buong Maynila,” said Benedict Monfero in an ambush interview.

(We can see here in Manila, there’s no genuine program for housing. It’s always a press release. But we believe that Senator Imee can implement that program for the poor here in Manila.)

Monfero is president of the group called Boses ng Manilenyo Federation of Sectoral Organization.

“On behalf of Boses ng Manilenyo, Senadora, alam namin kung ano’ng katayuan mo. Isa ka nang independent. Asahan mo, andito kami sa likod mo. Hindi ka na nag-iisa,” he added.

(On behalf of Boses ng Manilenyo, senator, we know your status now. You are now an independent [candidate]. Count on us. We are right behind you. You are not alone.”)

READ: Marcos bares 12 admin senatorial bets fro 2025 polls

The supporters were given t-shirts with “IMEEsolusyon” written across it. It is the senator’s tagline.

They were also given props such as tambourines and mini fans.