SOLANO, Philippines – The long standing bond between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his elder sister Senator Imee Marcos has always been described by political analysts as the backbone of the Marcos family’s post 1986 rehabilitation. For decades, the siblings moved in perfect political coordination, building local power bases in Ilocos Norte and eventually rising back into national prominence. On the surface, their partnership seemed unbreakable, a tight political front shaped by survival instincts after the downfall of their father in 1986.

But the unity that once fueled one of the most remarkable political comebacks in modern Southeast Asian history is now at the center of a national controversy, following Imee Marcos’ startling allegation that the President of the Philippines is addicted to illegal drugs.

The accusation, delivered in front of tens of thousands of Iglesia ni Cristo members calling for transparency and accountability amid the ongoing flood control scandal, has thrust the entire Marcos family into a political storm. It has also become one of the most searched topics in the Philippines, dominating keywords such as Marcos drug scandal, Imee Marcos vs Bongbong Marcos, Philippines political crisis, Bongbong Marcos cocaine accusation, and 2025 governance issues in the Philippines.

From Shared Ambitions to a Growing Divide

For years, the Marcos siblings pursued a shared aspiration to restore their name to what they believed was its rightful place in Philippine political history. They rose from the ashes of the 1986 ouster, rebuilt their provincial influence, and eventually orchestrated their most important victory: Bongbong Marcos becoming President of the Philippines, with Imee Marcos serving as one of the most influential members of the Senate.

Their political synergy reached its peak with the UniTeam alliance between Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte. Imee enthusiastically described the partnership as a marriage made in heaven, calling it a union built on strength and complementary leadership.

However, as the partnership between Marcos and Duterte deteriorated nationwide, so did the siblings’ relationship. What looked stable began unraveling beneath the surface.

Imee admitted earlier this year that she had not spoken to her brother for a long time. She claimed people around the President were blocking communication, creating a wall between the two. Her statement surprised many because no matter how heated political controversies became, the Marcos siblings were known for maintaining unity.

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Early Rumblings and Duterte’s Public Accusation

Public tension first intensified when former President Rodrigo Duterte accused Bongbong Marcos of using cocaine. The allegation sparked national discussion and international coverage. When media asked Imee for comment, she responded with a mix of disbelief and exasperation, saying, “Nakakaloka. I am not involved there. Let them be, they can handle that themselves. It is driving me crazy.”

Her statement hinted at internal frustrations, although she still maintained that there was no direct conflict between her and her brother. But political insiders sensed that something in the Marcos power core was shifting.

The Flood Control Scandal and Imee’s Breaking Point

Nearly two years later, the dam finally burst. During the Iglesia ni Cristo rally in Manila, where tens of thousands demanded accountability regarding the multibillion peso flood control scandal, Imee Marcos took the stage and claimed that President Bongbong Marcos is addicted to drugs. The allegation landed with extraordinary weight because it came not from a political rival, but from someone inside his own political dynasty.

International media immediately picked up the story. Reuters reported the accusation in detail. AP News followed, describing the Palace’s swift rejection of the claim. SCMP and Al Jazeera reported that Imee accused the President of micro dosing and relying on disguised treatments such as stem cell therapy. The story spread across global platforms, turning what might have been a domestic political dispute into an international headline.

Malacañang’s Counterattack and the Palace’s Call for Motive

The Palace responded within hours. Press Officer Claire Castro dismissed the accusations as a baseless narrative, asking why Imee was publicly attacking her brother instead of contributing to the investigation into the corruption scandal. Castro questioned why Imee implicated the First Lady, Liza Araneta Marcos, and even their children.

She stressed that if Imee truly cared about accountability, she should help identify those responsible for the alleged irregularities in the flood control project rather than create distraction through personal allegations.

The Palace cited the President’s negative cocaine and methamphetamine drug test from 2021, taken during the presidential campaign and reportedly administered by the Philippine National Police as well as a private medical facility.

A Family Feud Mirrors a Political Earthquake

With Imee’s accusation now out in the open, the Marcos family’s internal rift has become a major political talking point. The tension reflects deeper issues within the political legacy of their father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., whose 21 year rule ended with the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Observers note that such a public confrontation is unprecedented in the Marcos political dynasty. Analysts warn that the fallout could influence political alliances, public trust, and even investor confidence, especially as the government continues to face allegations of corruption in public infrastructure programs.

The Filipino public, already frustrated by alleged irregularities in flood control spending, is now confronted with a divisive dispute involving the highest office in the country.

The Cracks That Led to Today

The tension between the siblings did not happen overnight.

One early sign emerged in July 2022 when Imee publicly questioned the President’s veto of the Bulacan Airport City Ecozone bill. She suggested the proposal may not have been reviewed thoroughly or that someone in the administration “played smart.” It was a subtle yet significant departure from their usually unified messaging.

Over time, observers witnessed more signs of strain, from contrasting policy positions to increasingly distant public interactions. The Iglesia ni Cristo rally simply made the conflict impossible to ignore.

What Comes Next for the Marcos Administration

The drug use allegation carries political, legal, and reputational implications.

If no evidence emerges and public trust stabilizes, the administration may contain the fallout. But critics and watchdog groups are calling for independent testing, and several lawmakers are urging investigations not only into the allegation but into the broader governance failures tied to the flood control controversy.

There are questions about whether the conflict will influence national alliances, weaken the President’s hold on power, or spark broader political repositioning ahead of upcoming elections.

For now, Malacañang continues to reject the allegations while Imee Marcos’ camp has not signaled any intention to retract her statements.

A Family Rift That Now Shapes the Nation’s Political Future

The Marcos family, once united in navigating political resurrection, now faces its most serious and public division in nearly four decades. Imee Marcos’ claim that the President of the Philippines is addicted to illegal drugs has moved beyond family conflict and into national and international scrutiny. As investigations continue and political tensions rise, the country awaits clarity on an issue that blends personal accusation, political fragmentation, and questions of leadership credibility.

This story will continue to evolve, and the Philippines is watching closely.

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