Senator Imee Marcos’s emotional disclosure alleging that her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has a lifelong drug addiction has polarized the nation, with Filipinos reacting to the claim with relief, fury, and empathy as the country confronts the implications of a leader facing a personal crisis.

Speaking before Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members at Quirino Grandstand on Monday, Marcos framed her revelation as a moral duty, quoting scripture to justify her public rebuke. She linked her brother’s alleged addiction to corruption, economic setbacks, and foreign policy failures.

"Yung bisyo niya na ang dahilan ng pagbaha ng korapsyon. Kawalang direksyon at maling-maling mga desisyon. Walang accountability, wala nang hustisya," she said.

"Tama na ading ko, tapusin mo na paghihirap mo at ng bayan," Marcos stated, urging the President to seek treatment. "Gusto kong malaman mo na hindi kita sinusukuan."

Public sentiment

The allegations struck a deep emotional chord. Some Filipinos said the speech confirmed long-standing rumors, others expressed empathy, while many reacted with anger and disappointment.

A Pampanga jeepney driver said, “Salamat, Sen. Imee. Alam na namin ang totoo.”
A Facebook user wrote, "Tama lang ang ginawa ng ate, pag mali na kailangan supilin na."

Others expressed compassion. A Cebu mother reacted, “Naiyak ako para kay BBM. Addiction is a sickness… pero dapat humingi siya ng tulong."

Some felt betrayed, stating, “Galit ako. Paano niya tayo pinamunuan kung lulong siya? Dapat di na sya naging presidente."

INC members and religious supporters interpreted the moment as divine intervention. “Hinipo ni Lord si Sen. Imee na magsabi ng totoo. Answered prayer ito,” said an INC member from Pampanga. Another commenter added, "Catholic ako pero I salute INC sa ginawa nila. Leading ito ng Holy Spirit."

Political fallout

Malacañang dismissed the allegation as “scripted theatrics” designed to divert attention from corruption probes involving the senator’s allies. Opposition lawmakers, however, renewed calls for mandatory drug testing for top officials.

Marcos’s speech also included an accusation against First Son Sandro Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, alleging they offered illegal drugs to one of her children — a charge Sandro’s camp rejected as “baseless.”

A sister’s plea

Marcos urged her brother to resign and undergo treatment, saying she regretted ignoring earlier warnings.

"Kaya kong mabigo at mawala sa iyo ang posisyon Pero hindi ko kayang mawala ka sa amin. Ayusin mo ang sarili mo, magpagamot ka, magpagaling, alisin ang droga sa iyong sistema."

She also warned the President that people now close to him were not around during the family’s most difficult periods and only aligned with him because of his position.

The INC assembly titled "Transparency and a Better Democracy" concluded peacefully, but protests elsewhere escalated, including a third rally at EDSA calling for the President’s resignation.

"Ikulong na yan, mandara-bong-bong," protesters shouted.
"Kailangan may managot, kailangan may makulong," they added.

Analysts warned the political storm could further destabilize the administration, already grappling with internal conflict and declining public trust.