In a stunning public declaration that has sent shockwaves through the nation's political landscape, Senator Imee Marcos has made grave allegations against her own brother, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., and his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Explosive Allegations at INC Rally
The accusations were leveled during a rally organized by the Iglesia Ni Cristo at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday, November 17, 2025. Senator Marcos claimed their family has long been aware of the President's struggles with substance abuse, tracing the issue back to their childhood.
"When Bongbong and I were still young, the whole family already knew about his problems," the senator stated. "In fact, everyone can read my father's testimonies about his behavior and actions."
She described how the situation became increasingly concerning as her brother grew older, revealing that she had personal knowledge of his drug use. The senator provided startling details about cleanup operations involving presidential guard and Metrocom personnel following parties held by the President.
A Failed Intervention and Deepening Crisis
Senator Marcos admitted to playing a role in her brother's marriage, hoping it would bring stability to his life. "I even convinced Bongbong to marry Liza," she revealed. "I thought that once he got married, he would settle down and find direction. I was terribly wrong; his drug addiction only got worse because it turns out they were both using."
The senator painted a disturbing picture of the President's daily routine during his time as governor of Ilocos Norte, alleging that he would begin his day with marijuana during breakfast and continue throughout the day with cocaine use alongside his wife and friends.
She disclosed that President Marcos' name had appeared on a drug list in 2016 during the previous administration's war on drugs. Senator Marcos described personally appealing to then-President Rodrigo Duterte to spare her brother, arguing that law enforcement should prioritize targeting drug pushers over users.
Family Fallout and Official Responses
The allegations extended beyond the presidential couple to include their children. Senator Marcos accused her nephew, Ilocos Norte First District Representative Sandro Marcos, of also using illegal drugs and even offering them to other relatives, including her own children.
In response, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro characterized the senator's statements as a "desperate move" and questioned her motives, suggesting the timing related to ongoing corruption investigations that might implicate her political allies.
Representative Sandro Marcos issued a strong denial, calling his aunt's accusations "baseless" and expressing pain over what he described as her betrayal of family trust. "It pains me to see how low she has gone to the point that she resorts to a web of lies aimed at destabilizing this government to advance her own political ambitions," he stated.
In a dramatic escalation of the family conflict, Senator Marcos responded to Sandro's statement by suggesting he was questioning whether she and the President share the same bloodline. She declared her willingness to undergo a DNA test provided the President and his family submit to hair follicle drug testing.
The senator concluded with grave concerns about national governance, claiming her brother's alleged addiction has led to harmful decisions, widespread corruption, and a lack of accountability at the highest levels of government.
