Marcos Declines to Publicly Address Sister's Drug Allegation, Citing Family Privacy

Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday declined to respond publicly to a startling allegation by his estranged sister, Senator Imee Marcos, that he has long struggled with cocaine use. Speaking at a televised news conference, Marcos said he would not "air family matters" in public and expressed concern for his sister's well-being.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro called Senator Imee Marcos' claim a "web of lies," suggesting the speech delivered at a large religious rally in Manila may have been intended to distract from ongoing probes into a corruption scandal that could involve some opposition figures in the Senate. Presidential aides have said Marcos tested negative for cocaine and methamphetamine in past checks.

"It’s anathema to talk about family matters generally in public. We do not like to show our dirty linen in public," Marcos said, pausing before adding, "The lady that you see talking on TV is not my sister... That’s why we are worried, we are very worried about her. I hope she feels better soon."

When asked whether he planned to speak with Imee Marcos directly, the president replied that the siblings "no longer travel in the same circles, political or otherwise." The comment highlighted the personal and political distance that now exists between two prominent members of the Marcos family.

Background and political context

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., 68, and Imee Marcos are children of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the former dictator ousted in the 1986 "people power" uprising. The elder Marcos died in exile in 1989; the family returned to the Philippines in 1991 and gradually rebuilt its political influence. Marcos Jr. won the presidency in 2022 by a wide margin, marking a major political comeback for the family.

Imee Marcos made her accusation during a packed rally organized by a religious group in Manila, saying the alleged drug use began during their father's presidency and has persisted, affecting Marcos Jr.'s health and ability to govern. The Senate senator is a known ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces an International Criminal Court warrant and was taken to the Netherlands for detention in March on charges related to alleged crimes in his anti‑drug campaign. Duterte has denied wrongdoing.

The dispute has amplified existing political tensions. Allies of Duterte, including Imee Marcos, have accused the current administration of contributing to Duterte's legal woes, a charge the presidential camp rejects. Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of Rodrigo Duterte, has also been a vocal critic of Marcos Jr. while maintaining ties with Imee Marcos.

Analysts say the public exchange underscores both the personal ruptures within a powerful political family and the broader partisan fault lines that continue to shape Philippine politics. For now, the president appears determined to keep family disputes private while political allies on both sides press their cases publicly.