Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejects his sister’s accusation he uses cocaine

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s estranged sister, a senator, publicly accused him Monday of being a longtime drug addict whose alleged cocaine dependence has led to problems in his governance, including corruption, allegations that his spokesperson said was a recycled issue that has long been disproven.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Sen. Imee Marcos’ baseless accusations against her own brother may have been a desperate attempt to distract ongoing investigations into a corruption scandal involving flood control projects that may implicate her allies in the Senate.

“Sen. Imee, I hope you’ll be a patriot and help in the investigation that your own brother has been doing and condemn all the corrupt,” Castro said. “Don’t side with them, don’t hide them. Let President Marcos work to stop all the corruption.”

An independent fact-finding commission created by Marcos, a Senate committee and government agencies have been investigating allegations that influential members of Congress and the Senate have pocketed huge kickbacks from construction companies, which had won lucrative contracts to build flood-control projects, which turned out to be substandard, incomplete or nonexistent. The scandal has sparked outrage in an Asian country long prone to deadly flooding and typhoons.

The senator is a high-profile ally of her brother’s harsh critic and predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte was arrested on an International Criminal Court warrant in March and flown to and detained in the Netherlands for alleged crimes against humanity over his brutal anti-drug crackdowns that left thousands of mostly poor suspects dead. Duterte has denied any wrongdoing.

Duterte’s family and allies have blamed Marcos and his administration for what they claim was the ex-president’s illegal arrest and detention by the global court.

Having your opponent arrested and spirited out of the country is not a good look.

Uh, hello. Ferd Jr’s nickname is “Bong Bong.” If that doesn’t scream druggie, I don’t know what would. LOL.

In the Chinese-Filipino (Chinoy) culture, language plays a crucial role in preserving traditions and fostering community ties. One notable term used in this context is “bong”, which holds a specific cultural significance.
Derived from the Hokkien Ch
inese word “bâng” (榜), which can mean “ranking” or “order,” the term “bong” is commonly used by Chinoys to refer to someone younger or junior in age or status. It is often used affectionately within families and communities as a form of respectful acknowledgment of hierarchy, a value deeply rooted in Chinese traditions.

For example, an elder sibling might refer to their younger brother or sister as “bong” when addressing or speaking about them. Similarly, within Chinoy business or social circles, seniors might use “bong” to address juniors, symbolizing camaraderie and mentorship while maintaining a sense of hierarchy.

The use of “bong” exemplifies how Chinoy culture blends traditional Chinese values with Filipino warmth and familiarity. It reinforces bonds within the family and community, promoting mutual respect and connection across generations.

In a broader sense, terms like “bong” highlight the Chinoy community’s efforts to keep their linguistic heritage alive, reflecting the seamless integration of Chinese and Filipino identities.
(from Frinoy Ako website).

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.