Philippine Senator Imee Marcos. ARCHIVE

Philippine Senator Imee Marcos delivered a sweeping and emotional speech detailing long-standing family issues and raising serious allegations about the personal condition and governance of her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. In an unprecedented public address in Luneta on November 17, the senator said she was compelled to speak “for transparency, accountability, and justice,” citing both moral duty and a call from religious leaders. The senator ended her speech with a direct appeal for the President to step down and undergo rehabilitation. She said she was willing to relinquish political ambitions but not her brother’s health, urging the police and government officials to “help him recover” for the country’s sake. “Your enemy is not me,” she said, addressing the President. “Your enemy is yourself—and the nation is being harmed in that battle.” Here are the top 10 things she said: 1. “A family problem long known” She said their family has known since childhood that Bongbong had behavioral and lifestyle problems, documented even in their father’s testimonies about his habits. 2. “A history of drug use” She claimed that her brother has long been addicted to illegal drugs, recounting instances when security personnel allegedly cleaned up after his drug-related parties. 3. “Marriage didn’t change him” She admitted she encouraged Bongbong to marry Liza hoping it would give him direction, but instead said his drug dependence worsened because both spouses used drugs together. 4. “Unfit conduct while holding public office” She alleged that as Ilocos governor, Bongbong often skipped work and repeatedly lied to her about stopping his addiction. 5. “Protected from consequences under Duterte” Imee said Bongbong’s name appeared on then President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016 drug list, and she begged Duterte not to target him, believing he was merely a “user,” not a pusher. 6. “Continued drug use during campaign and presidency” She asserted that despite medical treatments and surgeries, Bongbong continued using cocaine, even practicing ‘micro-dosing’ and allegedly disguising treatments as stem-cell therapies and blood transfusions. 7. “Estrangement and exclusion” She said Bongbong and his team increasingly shut her out of the 2022 campaign, even banning her from headquarters and accusing her of wanting him disqualified—claims she denies. 8. “Drug use leading to corruption and misgovernance” She argued that her brother’s addiction enabled people around him to manipulate him, resulting in corruption, poor decisions, lack of accountability, and worsening national conditions. 9. “Allegations against the First Family” She claimed even Bongbong’s children were using drugs, and that Sandro Marcos and his mother allegedly offered drugs to her own child—an act she said she can no longer tolerate. 10. “A public plea for rehab and resignation” Imee issued a direct emotional plea for Bongbong to step down, undergo rehabilitation, and prioritize his health, saying she can give up political power but not her brother’s life, and asking law enforcers to intervene for the country’s sake. CAM/ICA/Expat Media
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