The Marcos family rift deepens as presidential son and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos on Tuesday issued a strongly worded statement denouncing the allegations made by his aunt, Senator Imee Marcos, who accused President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos of using illegal drugs.

The senator made the claims during the second day of the “Transparency for a Better Democracy” rally at the Quirino Grandstand.

In his statement, Sandro Marcos said he was speaking out “for the first and last time” on the matter, stressing that he had long respected Senator Imee Marcos for her role early in his public career. However, he expressed deep disappointment over her recent actions.

“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,” he said. “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 added that none of the allegations had any factual basis. “Sa lahat po ng binanggit ni senadora, walang basehan, walang katotohanan, at walang magandang idudulot sa bayan.”

He also emphasized that his cousins Borgy, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, and Atty. Michael Marcos Keon could attest that the insinuations involving him were fabricated.

According to the congressman, cousins in their generation had long agreed not to allow political differences or disputes involving their parents to pull them apart. He said it was “saddening” to see his aunt break that understanding.

“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.

Sandro urged the public to reject destabilizing narratives and instead rally behind truth and unity. “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.”

He closed his statement with a pointed message: “Hindi ito asal ng isang tunay na kapatid.”