MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has issued a sharp rebuttal to Senator Imee Marcos on Monday, January 26, 2026, following her recent public comments regarding the health and leadership of her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The exchange marks a significant escalation in the public rift between the President and his elder sister, with the Palace urging the senator to practice “honesty and consistency” before making public pronouncements.
The Source of the Friction The Palace’s reaction was triggered by televised remarks from Senator Marcos over the weekend, where she expressed concern over the President’s physical health and his ability to handle the “grueling demands” of the administration. She suggested that certain executive decisions were being made by “unauthorized” individuals due to the President’s supposed exhaustion.
“Don’t Be a Hypocrite” In a strongly worded statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) dismissed the senator’s claims as “baseless and politically motivated.”
- The Rebuttal: “It is the height of irony for the Senator to speak of health and transparency when she herself has often been less than forthcoming about the political maneuvering happening behind the scenes,” the Palace statement read. “We ask the Senator: Don’t be a hypocrite. If you are concerned about the country, support its leadership instead of fanning the flames of speculation.”
- President’s Status: The Palace maintained that the President remains in “excellent health” and is fully in control of all government affairs. They highlighted his recent active schedule, which included several provincial visits and high-level diplomatic meetings.
A Growing Political Divide The sibling rivalry has become increasingly visible in early 2026, as Senator Imee Marcos continues to align herself with the Duterte family and other opposition factions on key issues:
- Foreign Policy: The Senator has been a vocal critic of the President’s shift toward stronger military ties with the United States, advocating instead for a “more neutral” stance similar to the previous administration.
- Internal Disputes: She has also publicly questioned several “confidential fund” allocations and legislative priorities championed by the President’s allies in the House of Representatives.
Public Reaction Political analysts suggest that the “word war” within the First Family is indicative of deeper fractures within the “Uniteam” coalition that swept the 2022 elections. While some see the Senator’s comments as a genuine concern for her brother, others view it as a calculated move to distance herself from the administration ahead of the 2028 political cycle.
As of Monday afternoon, Senator Imee Marcos has not issued a formal reply to the “hypocrite” tag, though her camp hinted at a forthcoming privilege speech to address the “ongoing attempts to silence dissenting voices” within the majority.