The Marcos civil war erupts: Imee breaks silence, targeting the President and the First Family

The explosive accusations made by Senator Imee Marcos against her brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., mark an unprecedented moment in Philippine politics, revealing a deep and bitter sibling rift at the heart of the country’s ruling family.

Her allegations delivered during the second day of the Iglesia Ni Cristo rally were not simply emotional outbursts but appeared to be a calculated political move, timed during a period of national tension over corruption, governance issues, power instability, and declining public satisfaction with the administration.

By accusing the President, the First Lady, and their children of illegal drug use, Imee effectively weaponized the Marcos family narrative, dismantling the long-held image of unity that the dynasty projects to the public.

Her emotional Tagalog statements “Hinihingi ko na tayo ay umuwi na. Mamahinga. Alang-alang sa iyong kalusugan. Kaya kong mabigo at mawala sa ’yo ang posisyon pero hindi ko kayang mawala ka sa amin. Ayusin mo ang sarili mo. Magpagamot. Alisin ang droga sa iyong sistema,” she said.

(“I asked him to come home, take a rest, for the sake of your health. I can bear it if you fail and lose your position, but I cannot bear the thought of losing you. Take care of yourself. Get treatment. Rid your system of drugs.”)

Pleading for her brother to come home and seek treatment, as crafted to portray Bongbong as a leader who has lost control of himself, his family, and his presidency. This shift in framing underscores the long-standing sibling rivalry between Imee, who has a deeper political network and a more established legacy, and Bongbong, whose rise to the presidency altered their internal power balance. Her speech attempts to reclaim that dominance by casting the President as weak, compromised, and heavily influenced by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

The damage to the presidency is severe because accusations coming from a family member carry a unique weight; they are harder to dismiss as propaganda and appear more authentic to the public. The Palace’s quick rebuttal, citing a negative drug test, failed to address the deeper issue that the conflict is now personal, emotional, and beyond the control of official spokespersons.

This public family breakdown creates immediate political consequences: it fractures the Marcos base months before the 2025 midterm elections, threatens unity in the Northern bloc, puts allies on alert, and provides opponents with potent ammunition to question the President’s competence and stability.

Imee’s repeated implication that the President’s alleged problems worsened after his marriage to Liza positions the First Lady as the central figure in the family’s deterioration, a strategic strike at the President’s innermost circle.

This intensifies the narrative that the Marcos household is in turmoil, transforming the issue from a political dispute into a full-blown family crisis with national implications. As the conflict escalates, it reshapes the landscape for 2025 and even 2028, suggesting that Imee may be preparing to establish her own independent political identity, separate from her brother’s increasingly embattled leadership.

In essence, the country is witnessing a dynasty imploding from within. A family built on the myth of strength and unity is now unraveling in public, leaving the current administration weakened and the national political arena destabilized.

What began as a sibling rivalry has now erupted into a political civil war at the highest levels of government, raising urgent questions about leadership, legitimacy, and the future of the Marcos legacy.