Senator Imee Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., made explosive accusations during the “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy” at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila, where she told attendees that her brother had long struggled with drug-related problems. More than 300,000 people were reported to have attended the event.
“With Bongbong and me growing up together, the whole family already knew his problem. Everyone can read my father’s testimonies about his behavior and actions. Back then, because we had a father, he was not my responsibility. As he grew older, it became more worrisome. I knew he was using drugs,” Senator Marcos said.
She claimed that the issue became serious, alleging that she and members of the Presidential Guards once cleaned drug paraphernalia used during what she described as party drug sessions involving the young Bongbong Marcos.
Senator Marcos added that she once encouraged her brother to marry Liza Araneta, believing it would help “give him direction in life.”
“Malaki ang pagkakamali ko. Mas lumala ang kanyang paglulong sa droga, dahil parehas pala silang mag-asawa,” she said.
The senator further alleged that during his term as governor of Ilocos Norte, her brother was often absent from his duties.
“Hanggang sa may nagsumbong na naman sa akin na sa paggising pa lang ng umaga, kasabay ng almusal, nagma-marijuana pala. Maghapon sila—lahat sila—nag-iinuman at gumagamit ng cocaine, kasama ang asawa at barkada,” she claimed.
Senator Marcos also asserted that in 2016, President Marcos Jr.’s name was included in the so-called “narco-list” during the administration of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“Kasama siya sa mga listahan ng mga artista, kasama si Maricel Soriano at iba pa. Masinsinan kong kinausap si Pangulong Rody. Halos manikluhod ako. Sinabi kong dapat usigin ang mga pusher, at saka na lang ang mga user,” she added.
All allegations made by Senator Marcos during the rally remain unverified, and no official documents have been publicly released corroborating her claims.