In a dramatic turn of events, Philippine Senator Imee Marcos, the estranged sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., publicly accused him on Monday of being a long-term drug addict. She claimed his alleged cocaine dependence has led to governance issues, including widespread corruption. These allegations, however, were swiftly dismissed by the president’s spokesperson, Claire Castro, who labeled them as recycled and baseless. Castro suggested that Senator Marcos’ accusations might be a desperate attempt to divert attention from ongoing investigations into a corruption scandal involving flood control projects, which could implicate her allies in the Senate. Castro urged the senator to support the president’s anti-corruption efforts rather than shielding those under scrutiny. The scandal, which has sparked public outrage, involves allegations that influential members of Congress and the Senate received kickbacks from construction companies awarded lucrative contracts for substandard or incomplete flood-control projects. This issue is particularly sensitive in the Philippines, a country frequently ravaged by deadly floods and typhoons. Senator Marcos, a high-profile ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, a vocal critic of Marcos Jr., made the accusations during a speech at a rally organized by a religious group in Manila. She claimed the president’s drug addiction began during their father’s presidency and has persisted, affecting his health and governance. She also alleged that the president’s wife and children are drug users, though no evidence was provided. The senator’s relationship with her brother has reportedly been strained since he assumed the presidency in 2022. In response to the senator’s claims, Castro criticized her for not addressing Duterte’s past admission of using fentanyl, a powerful opioid, and his alleged links to corruption. The political tension between the Marcos and Duterte families continues to escalate, with Vice President Sara Duterte, Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, being one of the most vocal critics of the current administration. The accusations and counter-accusations highlight the deepening political divide in the Philippines, as the nation grapples with corruption and governance challenges.