‘Mahal ko ‘yan’: Francis Leo Marcos backs Sen. Imee’s reelection bid

MANILA, Philippines — Internet personality Francis Leo Marcos called on his supporters to back Sen. Imee Marcos’ reelection bid as he officially backed out from the senatorial race.

Francis, whose real name is Norman Mangusin, personally filed his certificate of withdrawal at Palacio del Gobernador, which was received by Commission on Elections (Comelec) chief George Erwin Garcia.

READ: Francis Leo Marcos withdraws from 2025 Senate race

“Kaya wini-withdraw ko ang candidacy ko, para bigyan ng daan ang kandidatura ni Sen. Imee Marcos,” Mangusin said in an interview after filing his withdrawal.

(I am withdrawing my candidacy to make way for the candidacy of Imee Marcos.)

“Nananawagan ako sa mga supporters ko… na suportahan natin si (I am calling on my supporters to support) Sen. Imee Marcos to accomplish the given assignment,” he also said.

Mangusin was reportedly claiming to be Sen. Marcos’ brother.

“Sa mga supporter ko, alam naman ni manang na mahal ko ‘yan, eh, tanungin n’yo na lang kung mahal niya ako o hindi,” Mangusin said in jest.

(To all my supporters, my sister knows that I love her, just ask her if she loves me or not.)

In November 2024, the Comelec declared Mangusin a nuisance candidate, reversing its 2021 ruling that allowed him to run in the 2022 elections.

However, the Supreme Court allowed Mangusin to run in the senatorial elections.

Garcia said Mangusin would appear on the ballots under his stage name, “Francis Leo Marcos,” which could have caused confusion among voters since his name would appear before Sen. Marcos.

READ: Two Marcoses on 2025 election ballots as ex-nuisance bet uses stage name

In the 2022 elections, Mangusin ranked 27th in the senatorial race after getting over 4.5 million votes.