Marcos’s sister backs V-P Sara Duterte as leader amid graft scandal

MANILA – Senator Imee Marcos, the estranged sister of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, said there was a void in the nation’s leadership as politicians grapple with a growing corruption scandal and that she instead backs his deputy as a potential replacement.

“There is a vacuum at the top,” Ms Marcos said during an interview in her Manila office on Nov 27. “And that’s a problem because all sorts of sinister and malignant forces have jumped in to fill that void.” 

Tensions between the siblings escalated in November after the 70-year-old senator, speaking at an anti-graft rally, claimed that

her brother was addicted to cocaine

, allegations the President’s Office denied.

This week,

Mr Marcos took a swipe at his sister

, expressing concerns for her and saying “the lady that you see talking on TV is not my sister”.

When asked how she would know about her brother’s alleged drug problem, she said she still receives reports from her sibling’s friends, doctors, presidential security and long-time family staff.

“For some reason, I suppose because I’m the eldest, they still report to me,” she said.

A representative from the President’s Office pushed back on Ms Marcos’ comments, saying the President had “already addressed this drug-related concern with a medical certificate that indicated a negative drug-use test result”.

The public spat comes at a critical period for the South-east Asian nation, which is in the middle of a

multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal

involving funds meant for flood infrastructure.

Ms Marcos is siding with Vice-President Sara Duterte, the President’s former ally who has now become his biggest political rival after their close relationship collapsed over policy differences.

With the Marcos administration facing one of its biggest challenges yet as the graft mess implicates those in government – including the President himself – there have been some calls for the 68-year-old to step down.

But most anti-graft protesters have pushed for the prosecution of those tied to the scandal, including lawmakers, officials and contractors.

Ms Marcos said that should the situation worsen, a constitutional succession would be the most ideal option.

“If it’s going to be the Vice-President, I’m sure that she’ll step into the void and fill in.”

Her comments in support of Ms Duterte come on the eve the International Criminal Court’s Appeals Chamber is due to deliver its judgment on the appeal of Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice-President’s father and former leader of the Philippines, for interim release.

The court in The Hague may grant interim release, meaning he could be released from detention while awaiting further proceedings, or it could deny the appeal, meaning he remains in custody pending trial or other proceedings.

During the midterm elections in May, Ms Marcos quit her brother’s senatorial slate to join Ms Duterte on the campaign trail, eventually securing re-election.

Ms Duterte’s allies outperformed in the Senate race, in what was an unexpected setback for Mr Marcos, with the legislative Chamber shelving the impeachment complaint against the Vice-President about three months later.

Ms Duterte, who herself faces complaints over the misuse of public funds, which she has denied, is seen as a strong candidate for the 2028 presidential polls.

Mr Marcos is not eligible to run beyond his single, six-year term.

Associate Professor Gary Ador Dionisio, dean at the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde School of Diplomacy and Governance, said Ms Marcos’ latest comments will not help the country rise from the corruption mess.

“What we need is more clarity, more evidence than controversy,” he said.

Prof Dionisio said that as a potential president, Ms Duterte “has questionable and problematic leadership and governance performance. The replacement is like choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea”.

A representative for her did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The sibling squabble also highlights the rift that has opened up within the Philippines’ ruling family, which made a stunning political comeback in the 2022 election, more than three decades after their late dictator father Ferdinand Marcos Sr was ousted by a popular revolt in 1986.

Around US$10 billion (S$13 billion) was allegedly misappropriated during their father’s two-decade rule, forcing the family to flee. About US$3 billion was recovered as at 2021.

Ms Marcos, whose political career began during her father’s term, said on Nov 27 that the divide with her brother started when she felt she was eased out when she learnt that cocaine entered the picture.

“I said, will you please get your act together and stop this? I guess they didn’t want to hear about that. And they kind of boxed me out.” BLOOMBERG