Malacañang stated on Wednesday that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is “disappointed” by Senator Imee Marcos’ claim that members of the First Family use illegal substances.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a media interview that the President was dismayed that his own sister would “resort to such lies.”
Imee’s public challenge for the First Family to submit to a hair-follicle drug test was similarly dismissed by Castro.
The senator issued the dare on Facebook a day earlier, adding that she herself would undergo a DNA test, accusing House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos of spreading rumors that she was not the President’s “true sibling.”
“Kung gusto niya magpa-DNA, go ahead,” Castro said, stressing that the Palace would not entertain challenges from Senator Marcos.
She also noted that President Marcos had already tested negative for illegal drug use before the 2022 elections, with St. Luke’s Medical Center issuing a certification confirming the result.
Castro said the renewed calls for drug tests were an attempt to damage the president’s public image.
“Para sirain ang Pangulo?” she asked, adding that the President was not “gullible” and that his daily performance in office shows he is in good condition.
