Senator Imee Marcos stunned the public at the Quirino Grandstand on Tuesday, November 17 when she accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her own brother, of being addicted to drugs and pleaded for him to seek immediate treatment during an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) protest rally against corruption.
Speaking before thousands of INC members, Marcos said she had repeatedly urged the President to prioritize his health and step back from his duties. “Hindi ko kakayanin kung mapapahamak kaya hinihingi ko na tayo’y umuwi na mamahinga, alang sa iyong kalusugan,” she told him. (I won’t be able to bear it if something happens to you, so I’m asking you to come home and rest, for the sake of your health.)
She recalled convincing her brother to marry, believing it would bring stability to his life. “Kinumbinsi ko pa si Bongbong, pakasalan mo na si Liza… Naisip ko nun, kapag nag-asawa siya, malalagay na sa tahimik at magkakaroon ng direksyon. Ang laki ng pagkakamali ko, mas lumala ang kanyang paglulong, pagkalulong sa droga,” she said. (I even convinced Bongbong to marry Liza. I thought that once he got married, he would finally settle down and find direction. I was completely wrong — his addiction only worsened, his dependence on drugs deepened.)
Marcos said she feared losing her brother more than losing his political office. “Kaya kong mabigo at mawala sa iyo ang posisyon pero hindi ko kayang mawala ka sa amin,” she said. (I can accept it if you lose your position, but I cannot bear losing you.)
The presidential sister then issued a direct appeal for him to seek professional treatment. “Ayusin mo ang sarili mo. Magpagamot ka. Alisin ang droga sa iyong sistema,” she said. (Put yourself back in order. Seek treatment. Clear the drugs out of your system.)
Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro denied the allegation hurled by Senator Imee Marcos claiming that her brother is a cocaine user.
Is Duterte true?
Her remarks come a year after former president Rodrigo Duterte repeatedly accused Marcos of being a drug user and questioned his capability to govern.
The President dismissed Duterte’s claims then, suggesting the former leader’s long-term fentanyl use may have influenced his statements.
Months later, when asked about alleged leaked intelligence files linking him to drugs, Marcos, Jr. simply laughed and walked away.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.