In a stunning public revelation that has rocked Philippine politics, Senator Imee Marcos has accused her brother, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., of illegal drug use during a recent anti-corruption gathering in Manila.
Family Drama Erupts Publicly
The dramatic family conflict within the country's most powerful political dynasty burst into public view last week when Senator Imee Marcos made explosive allegations against her presidential brother. During her speech at the Iglesia Ni Cristo's anti-corruption event held at Quirino Grandstand, the senator claimed her brother's "problem" with drugs had been known since childhood.
Imee referenced recollections from their late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and stated that security forces had previously needed to "clean up after his parties." In another striking admission, the senator expressed regret about encouraging Bongbong's marriage to lawyer Liza Araneta-Marcos, calling it a "huge mistake" that added another layer to the family conflict.
Palace Fires Back Immediately
Malacañang Palace responded swiftly to the allegations, issuing strong denials and branding the charges as "baseless" and "politically motivated." Officials pointed to documented evidence showing the President tested negative for cocaine use in 2021 at St. Luke's Medical Center.
Undersecretary Claire Castro led the Palace's counterattack, stating that "the allegations are desperate and unfounded" and emphasizing that the administration would not be distracted from its governance responsibilities. The response also accused Imee of maliciously targeting the First Couple with unsubstantiated claims.
Political and Public Reactions
The political fallout extended beyond the immediate family conflict, with Senator Ping Lacson warning that unsubstantiated charges of this magnitude risk eroding public trust and potentially destabilizing governance. He urged all parties to exercise restraint and maintain evidence-based discourse.
Public opinion, as measured by a popular radio survey, showed significant division among Filipinos. The survey revealed that 80 percent of listeners sided with President Bongbong Marcos, dismissing Imee's remarks as part of a plot to destabilize his administration. However, a substantial minority of 20 percent found the accusations "very credible," reflecting lingering doubts from past controversies.
Broader Context and Implications
The timing of this family feud is particularly sensitive as the administration faces ongoing corruption scandals involving flood infrastructure funds. Political analysts warn that the public airing of family divisions could weaken the President's political standing and governance effectiveness.
Observers noted that similar drug allegations had been raised previously by former President Rodrigo Duterte, which were also strongly denied by the Marcos camp. The current situation highlights the rarity of such public sibling clashes even in a country dominated by political dynasties.
The Palace continues to rely on documented drug test results to counter the allegations, while Imee invokes family history and personal regrets. The ongoing conflict raises important questions about how much political capital President Marcos can retain while managing both external scandals and internal family strife.
As the situation develops, the nation watches closely to see whether this dramatic family rift will escalate further or eventually subside, with the spectacle of two Marcos siblings trading public accusations highlighting the fragility of dynastic unity in Philippine politics.
