Senator Imee Marcos bared her frustrations with her own family in a video message released ahead of the September 21 rallies, openly lamenting the state of affairs surrounding President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his administration.

Marcos said she felt “sad and disheartened” over her brother, the President, recalling the decades-long struggle of their family to return to power.

"Nalulungkot lang ako kasi 36 years namin inasam-asam ito. Pinagtrabaho, pinagdasal. Nasayang eh,” she said.

The senator also voiced disappointment over her nephew, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, saying it was a shame that the young lawmaker was being “dragged into political conflict.”

Her strongest words, however, were reserved for her cousin, former House Speaker Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, whom she described not only with irritation but with outright anger.

"Aba'y pwedeng sabihin naiinis ako. Nagagalit ako, hindi lang simpleng inis. Nagagalaiti pa,” Imee said.

When asked if she had a message for First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Senator Marcos dismissed the idea outright.

“Lisa Marcos. Eh, hindi ko naman kamag-anak yan. Hindi ko naman kaano-ano,” she said curtly.

On protests in Sept. 21

In the same video message, Sen. Imee said she would rather join former soldiers at Camp Aguinaldo for a protest against corruption and alleged anomalies in flood control projects, instead of going to Luneta, which she dismissed as a ‘karambola’ or chaotic rally with "too many competing agendas."

She also noted that she was “not welcome” at the EDSA Shrine protest.

"EDSA Shrine. Naku, maliwanag naman kung sino-sino na riyan,' she added.

Message on gov't offices

Furthermore, the senator also criticized several government offices, including Malacañang, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Congress, and the Senate, calling for accountability over alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

"Malacanang. Naku, dinggin ninyo ang taong bayan. Tigilan nyo magsasabing kalma lang kayo. At walang kalma. Pwede ba? I-withdraw kaya ninyo yung budget at isaayos ng maigi mula sa DBM na puro unallocated, unprogrammed, hanggang sa DPWH. Siyasatin maigi." she said.

She also rebuked officials on leave at DPWH, warned Congress against 'pointless finger-pointing.'

Marcos also left a message to her fellow senators: “Senate. Naku, sa aking mga kasamahan. Huwag tayong didikit sa script na pinadala sa atin. Yung maliliit, naku, mga botete, dilis, sardinas, ipon, yan lang ang uulihin. Tama ba yun? Tigilan na ang small fry. Big fish ang hulihin."

The remarks highlighted simmering tensions within the Marcos family and its political allies, coming at a sensitive moment as the country marks the anniversary of Martial Law on September 21.