Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Imee Marcos has accused her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of illegal drug use – a claim Malacañang swiftly denied.
The move marks a direct attack on her estranged brother, as she aligns herself with his former ally-turned-rival, Vice President Sara Duterte.
Marcos was a surprise guest at a rally staged by the religious group Iglesia ni Cristo on Monday, Nov. 17, which it presented as a call for transparency amid the flood control corruption scandal.
In a 28-minute speech, the senator said her family has long been aware of her brother’s behavior and actions while growing up.
“Noong tumanda ay mas naging nakakabahala. Batid ko na, na nagda-drugs siya,” Marcos said, drawing screams from the crowd.
[Translation: As he grew older, it became more worrying. I already knew he was using drugs.]
“Minsan, kami ng presidential guard at Metrocom (Metropolitan Command) pa ang naglilinis tuwing nagpaparty po sila,” she added.
[Translation: Sometimes, we, together with the presidential guard and Metrocom had to clean up after their parties.]
She said she had convinced her brother to marry First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, believing it would help him change, but alleged that it only got worse, as both continued using illegal drugs – through his tenure as Ilocos governor and into the presidency.
Marcos recalled that when her brother landed on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug watchlist, she pleaded that the authorities focus on pushers first rather than users, sparing him.
She said he had promised to stop using drugs, which led her to introduce him to now Vice President Duterte as a potential running mate. Marcos added that her brother distanced himself from her during the campaign until he won the presidency.
“Hindi ako sumama sa loob ng tatlong taon diyan sa Malacañang dahil lantaran na doon ang inuman, ang paggamit nila ng cocaine, at mga bawal na gamot,” she said.
[Translation: I did not join for three years in Malacañang because the drinking, the use of cocaine, and other illegal drugs were so blatant.]
She linked his alleged vices to corruption, lack of direction, and poor decisions, adding the people around him, whom she did not name, took advantage.
“Hindi na niya alam ang nangyayari… Kinamkam na nila ang kaban ng bayan,” she said.
[Translation: He no longer knows what is happening… They have already seized the national treasury.]
She ended her speech with a veiled call for her brother to step down and focus on rehabilitation.
“Hindi ko kakayanin kung mapapahamak ka. Kaya hinihingi ko na tayo’y umuwi na, mamahinga, alang-alang sa iyong kalusugan. Kaya kong mabigo at mawala sa iyo ang posisyon, pero hindi ko kayang mawala ka sa amin. Ayusin mo ang sarili mo, magpagamot ka, magpagamot, alisin ang droga sa iyong sistema,” she said.
[Translation: I cannot bear it if you get harmed. That’s why I am asking that we go home and rest, for the sake of your health. I can accept failing and losing your position, but I cannot accept losing you. Fix yourself, get treatment, remove the drugs from your system.]
‘Desperate move’
The Palace quickly refuted the senator’s allegations through a video statement by Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.
She dismissed the claims as baseless, noting that the president had already tested negative for illegal drugs.
“Ano ang dahilan ng desperadong galawan ni Senator Imee Marcos laban sa sarili niyang kapatid? At pati kay first lady kundi makapanira lamang,” she said.
[Translation: What is the reason behind Senator Imee Marcos’ desperate actions against her own brother? Even against the first lady, it is nothing but an attempt to destroy them.]
Castro emphasized that it was the president who initiated investigations into anomalous flood control projects.
“Kung totoong maka-Pilipino ka at totoong makabayan ka, Senator Imee, tumulong ka sa pag-iimbestiga… Huwag mong sirain ang kapatid mo,” she said.
[Translation: If you are truly pro-Filipino and patriotic, Senator Imee, help with the investigations… Do not destroy your brother.]
“Nakakahiya, Senator Imee. Nakakahiya [Shameful, Senator Imee. Shameful],” she said.
