Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson called Senator Imee Marcos’ public allegations against her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., “un-Filipino” after her shocking claims during the Iglesia ni Cristo “Rally for Transparency and a Better Democracy” at Quirino Grandstand last Monday.
Lacson said it’s normal for siblings to have disagreements, but “the Filipino” way is to settle conflicts privately, not in front of thousands of people.
“That was very un-Filipino. We have seen siblings quarrel but they confine it inside the home. But to bring your conflict in front of hundreds of thousands of people at the Luneta, to me that’s unacceptable as a Filipino. We Filipinos are not like that,” Lacson said in English and Filipino during a radio interview.
In a Facebook post, Senator Robin Padilla offered a brief response to Senator Marcos’ explosive accusations against the President, saying her remarks should be seen through the lens of family, not politics.
“People keep asking for my opinion,” Padilla said in Filipino. “In my personal experience, Manang Imee’s point last night was about family, not politics.”
Padilla did not address Imee’s claim that the President uses illegal drugs, but his comment suggested an attempt to de-escalate the tension by framing the issue as an internal family matter.
His remark came as political allies of the siblings scrambled to react — and as many others remained noticeably silent — to the unfolding rift within the Marcos family.
Their silence highlighted both the sensitivity of the issue and the caution many lawmakers are exercising while the public and social media continue to dissect Imee Marcos’ explosive claims.
On Monday night, Senator Marcos stunned the crowd with her claim that the President and members of his family had been involved in drug use.
“Ever since we were children, our whole family had known about his problem. Everyone can read my father’s testimony about his habits and behavior. Back then, I was young and it wasn’t my responsibility. But as he grew older, it became even more concerning. I know that he has used drugs,” she told the thousands in attendance.
She recounted that the issue became serious enough that she and the Presidential Guards would clean up drug paraphernalia after her brother’s parties. Imee also said she encouraged him to marry Liza Araneta in the hope that he would change.
“I was wrong — things only got worse. His addiction worsened, even after they got married,” she said. “They were both alike.”
Lacson expressed disappointment over the senator’s decision to air her allegations in public.
“I am disappointed with Senator Marcos’ action. She could have done this in another forum, and not make accusations, whether true or not, in front of hundreds of thousands of people,” he said.
Asked about her motive, Lacson didn’t mince words: “Politics, nothing else. Why discredit your own brother in front of hundreds of thousands of people?”
International coverage
Senator Marcos’ bombshell erupted into an international story, quickly grabbing the attention of major foreign news outlets. What started as a family blowout has become a global snapshot of the challenges facing Philippine democracy and the Marcos political dynasty.
AP, Reuters, and other news agencies highlighted the unprecedented nature of the moment — a sitting senator accusing a sitting president who also happens to be her sibling. For the world’s media, it’s not just drama; it’s a sign of deepening fractures within one of Asia’s most influential political families.
Foreign reports linked the scandal to broader concerns about political stability. Analysts warned it could shake investor confidence and weaken institutions, especially if the internal conflict drags on.
International coverage also underscored the irony: a president accused of drug use while leading a country still shaped by the Duterte-era war on drugs. Human rights groups seized the moment to renew calls for accountability and independent reviews.
Several outlets framed the saga as a high-stakes political soap opera, noting how family power struggles continue to define Filipino politics — and may hurt the country’s credibility abroad.
With social media amplifying every angle, the international consensus is clear: this is no longer a Marcos family issue. It’s a test of leadership, stability, and the state of Philippine democracy — unfolding under global scrutiny.