Aside from being numerically important, Senator Imee Marcos said an endorsement from President Rodrigo Duterte is also important "sentimentally" for her brother, presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

This is despite other people downplaying Duterte's endorsement considering the frontrunner position of Marcos Jr. in the May elections.

"Para sa amin malaking bagay 'yun kasi kahit papano ang boto namin ay dito sa Luzon, samantalang yung endorsement ni President Duterte ay para talaga sa Mindanao," Imee told DZRH on Sunday.

(For us, it is a huge thing because our votes come from Luzon, while President Duterte’s endorsement is for Mindanao.)

(So it is huge numerically, but at the same time, sentimentally because we have not strayed from the side of the administration and we are also with Mayor Inday Sara. It will be better if her father is also with us.)

Duterte has yet to endorse a presidential candidate for the upcoming May elections, and the camp of Marcos Jr. has been hoping for his endorsement.

"Hindi naman siya nangangampanya sa iba so tanggapin na lang natin 'yung timing ni Presidente Duterte at baka gusto niya nga na malaya mamili ang lahat," said Imee.

Duterte previously told Filipinos in a speech that they can choose which "Ilocano they want in Malacañang." Marcos himself is from Ilocos Norte and enjoys the support of the so-called "Solid North."

However, Duterte also previously expressed his dislike to Marcos and called him a weak leader.

"Hindi ako bilib. He is a weak leader. Totoo 'yan, di ako naninira ng tao. Talangang weak kasi spoiled child, only son," Duterte previously said in another speech.