TACLOBAN CITY — Former First Lady Imelda Marcos quietly returned to the Santo Niño Church , this city, on Thursday, September 18, marking her first public visit in almost 10 years.
The 96-year-old matriarch of the Marcos-Romualdez clan, who traces her roots to Tacloban and Tolosa town in Leyte, was last seen in the city in 2016 when she campaigned for her son, now President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., during his vice-presidential bid.
Parishioners were taken aback by Marcos’ unannounced visit. “She’s still beautiful though she appears frail,” said Napoleon Ruedas, who witnessed the visit. “Some people wanted to have a photo with her but were stopped by her security detail.”
Marcos, who arrived in a wheelchair accompanied by a small entourage, offered prayers at the church around 11 a.m. and stayed for less than 30 minutes. Among those with her was Bernardita Valenzuela, former media officer during the term of then-Tacloban City Mayor Alfred “Bejo” Romualdez, the younger brother of the former First Lady.
It was unclear if Marcos also visited the Santo Niño Shrine and Museum — once the family’s residence — or the Olot estate in Tolosa, where she grew up.
Imelda Marcos herself previously served as Leyte’s 1st District representative, a position later held by her nephew Martin Romualdez, who recently resigned as House Speaker.
Despite her age, the Marcos-Romualdez family remains a formidable political force in Leyte and Eastern Visayas.
(JOEY A. GABIETA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
