Philippine President Marcos Denies Drug Allegations by Estranged Sister Imee

MANILA, November 18, 2025 – Philippine President Bongbong Marcos has firmly rejected claims by his estranged sister, Senator Imee Marcos, that he has used illicit drugs, calling the allegations baseless and politically motivated.

During an anti-corruption rally on Monday, Imee Marcos alleged—without presenting evidence—that her brother had struggled with drug use since their youth and that the issue persisted into the present day. She further claimed that drug use was responsible for widespread corruption.

In response, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that the claims were “a story without value,” referencing a negative drug test Marcos took in 2021 during his presidential campaign.

Background and Political Context

President Marcos has previously faced accusations of drug use. His predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, had included Marcos on a so-called ‘narco-list’ submitted to him when he was mayor of Davao City—a claim that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has consistently denied. Duterte himself faced international scrutiny, including a March arrest warrant from The Hague linking him to killings during his controversial “war on drugs”, which resulted in thousands of alleged narcotics-related deaths.

Imee Marcos, an ally of Duterte, has distanced herself from her brother politically and no longer speaks to him. She was elected as an independent senator in May’s midterm elections, running with support from Vice President Sara Duterte, who is also a political rival of President Marcos.

The siblings have diverged on key policy issues, including Philippine security ties with the United States, which Marcos has strengthened—contrasting with Duterte’s pro-China stance.

Family Response and Government Investigation

President Marcos’ son, Congressman Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, issued a statement defending his father, calling Imee Marcos’ allegations “a web of lies aimed at destabilizing this government to advance her own political ambitions.”

The president has also launched a sweeping investigation into irregularities in infrastructure projects, particularly flood-control works. Internal audits revealed many projects were substandard, poorly documented, or nonexistent. The probe has sparked public outcry, with citizens demanding accountability for corruption and mismanagement in government-funded projects.

Public Reaction

The dispute between the Marcos siblings highlights ongoing political tension and rivalry in the Philippines, where anti-corruption measures and government transparency remain high on the public agenda. Allegations of drug use and corruption have further fueled debates about governance, accountability, and political influence in Manila and across the nation.

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Key Takeaways

• Philippine President Bongbong Marcos denies drug use allegations made by estranged sister Imee Marcos.
• Claims are cited as politically motivated, with a negative 2021 drug test supporting Marcos’ defense.
• Imee Marcos is an ally of Rodrigo Duterte and critic of her brother’s US-Philippines security policies.
• President Marcos launched investigations into irregularities in infrastructure projects, prompting public demands for accountability.
• Political rivalries within the Marcos family highlight broader governance and anti-corruption challenges in the Philippines.