Sandro Marcos denies Imee's claim on alleged illegal drug use

House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos on Tuesday denied the accusation of his aunt Senator Imee Marcos that the first family was using illegal drugs. 

“It pains me to see how low she has gone to the point that she resorts to a web of lies aimed at destabilizing this government to advance her own political ambitions. To further repeat an accusation against President Bongbong Marcos and the First Lady (and for the first time ever myself) that is not only false, but dangerously irresponsible,” Sandro said in a statement. 

“Sa lahat po ng binanggit ni senadora, walang basehan, walang katotohanan, at walang magandang idudulot sa bayan,” he added. 

(Everything the senator said has no basis, no truth, and will bring nothing good to the nation.)

On Monday, Imee, in her speech during the rally of Iglesia Ni Cristo at Quirino Grandstand in Manila, accused the First Family including Sandro of using illegal drugs. 

"Batid ko na na nagda-drugs siya. Nalaman ko at ng pamilya, nalaman ng pamilya, seryoso ito," Imee said.

(I know he is using illegal drugs. I found out, and our family did too. This is serious.)

“My cousins Borgy, Vice Gov. Matthew, and Atty. Michael can attest that these allegations that were insinuated against me are false," Sandro said, referring to Imee's sons.

“We always agreed that whatever happened between our parents, we wouldn't let ourselves be dragged in,” he said.

“That is why nakakalungkot makita na ginagawa niya ito. For her to betray her own family brings a lot of pain to me as a consequence of my respect to her for giving me my start in public life,” he added. 

(That is why it is sad to see her doing this. For her to betray her own family brings a lot of pain to me as a consequence of my respect to her for giving me my start in public life.)

For Marcos, Imee’s action is “not a conduct of a true sibling.” 

“Now is the time to unite behind truth, not to amplify narratives meant to topple the government. Panahon ngayon para magtulungan, hindi para magpalaganap ng gulo at destabilisasyon,” Sandro said. 

(Now is the time to unite behind truth, not to amplify narratives meant to topple the government. Now is the time to unite behind truth, not to spread chaos and destabilization.)

“HINDI ITO ASAL NG ISANG TUNAY NA KAPATID,” he added. 

(THIS IS NOT THE CONDUCT OF A TRUE SIBLING.)

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro on Monday called Imee's allegations a "desperate move."

"This is definitely a desperate move. Ang pinag-uusapan sa peace rally ay patungkol sa di umanong korapsyon. Ano ang dahilan ni Senator Imee na ang sariling kapatid ay siraan niya?" Castro said. 

(What is being discussed in the peace rally is the alleged corruption. What is Senator Imee's reason for attacking her own brother?) —KG, GMA Integrated News