MANILA, Philippines (AP) — In a dramatic and public family feud, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s estranged sister, Senator Imee Marcos, has accused him of being a longtime drug addict. She claims that his alleged cocaine dependence has adversely affected his governance, particularly concerning corruption issues. This accusation led Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro to dismiss the claims as recycled and baseless, suggesting they were a distraction from ongoing investigations related to a corruption scandal in the Senate.
Castro admonished Imee Marcos, urging her to support President Marcos in the fight against corruption instead of attempting to shield her political allies implicated in these scandals. An independent fact-finding commission, along with Senate investigations and other government agencies, are currently looking into allegations that certain lawmakers have pocketed significant kickbacks from construction firms awarded government contracts for flood control projects, many of which are reported to be substandard or incomplete.
The senator’s remarks come in the context of increasing political tension, particularly as she has aligned herself with former President Rodrigo Duterte, a prominent critic of her brother. Duterte, who has faced international scrutiny and legal issues, was arrested on an International Criminal Court warrant in March for alleged crimes against humanity tied to his anti-drug campaigns that resulted in numerous deaths. His family and supporters have pointed fingers at President Marcos's administration for his legal troubles.
During a rally in Manila, Imee Marcos claimed that her brother's drug issues began during their father Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s presidency and have persisted into the present day. She argued that these difficulties have impaired his health and governance abilities, stating that his addiction has led to a rise in corruption and poor decision-making in his administration, although she provided no evidence to support her assertions.
In her address, she urged military and police officials to assist President Marcos in confronting his alleged addiction, stating, "I’m not his enemy. His enemy is himself." This public confrontation has further fueled the ongoing rivalry between the Duterte and Marcos political clans in the Philippines.
Claire Castro criticized Imee for failing to address the drug-related admissions of Rodrigo Duterte. The former president had previously acknowledged his past use of fentanyl, while both he and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, have been accused of potential corruption, which they vehemently deny.
Last year, Duterte had suggested in a speech that his successor was a drug user, referencing an alleged previous listing of Marcos on a drug enforcement watchlist. President Marcos dismissed these claims, asserting that he would not dignify the allegations with a response but pointed out that Duterte himself had a history with fentanyl. This back-and-forth highlights the deep-seated tensions that exist within these political families.
When Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was running for president in 2021, his team released two reports from a private hospital and the national police laboratory, both confirming that he had tested negative for cocaine and methamphetamine. These findings were intended to counter allegations surrounding his alleged drug use. The ongoing allegations and investigations surrounding corruption, as well as the personal dynamics within the Marcos family, continue to shape the political landscape in the Philippines.
