"The accusations from his estranged sister come as the Philippine president faces a corruption scandal over flood-control projects. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has rejected accusations by his estranged sister, Senator Imee Marcos, that he has been a long-term drug user, at a time when the country is witnessing mass protests against corruption. On Monday, the senator alleged that her brother had developed a cocaine dependency that affected his governance, contributing to corruption and poor decision-making."
"Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, the president's spokesperson, dismissed the claims as baseless, describing them as recycled accusations that have long been disproved. Speaking to a large crowd at a Manila park rally organised by a religious group, Senator Imee said her brother's drug use began during the presidency of their father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr who ruled from 1965 to 1986 and continues to this day."
"Castro criticised the senator for not addressing former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has acknowledged past fentanyl use and, according to critics, may be linked to corruption along with his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. Both have denied wrongdoing. When Marcos Jr was campaigning for the presidency in 2021, his spokesperson released reports from a private hospital and the national police laboratory showing he tested negative for cocaine and methamphetamine. Castro has labelled Imee's statements as a distraction from ongoing investigations into a corruption"
Senator Imee Marcos alleged that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr developed a long-term cocaine dependency that began during their father's presidency and continues, blaming the addiction for contributing to corruption, poor decision-making, lack of accountability, and justice. She also alleged involvement of the president's wife and children in drug use. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed the claims as baseless and recycled, and pointed to past negative drug tests released during Marcos Jr's 2021 campaign. Castro criticised the senator for not addressing former President Rodrigo Duterte's acknowledged past fentanyl use, and called the accusations a distraction from ongoing corruption investigations amid mass protests and a flood-control projects scandal.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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