President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed he has not spoken to his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, for nearly three years but harbors no ill feelings toward her. A Palace official said the president appeared disappointed by her recent remark that their relationship is 'non-existent.' The comments followed a UPLIFT committee meeting.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said she personally asked President Marcos about his sister's statement right after a UPLIFT committee meeting. “Yes, immediately after the UPLIFT committee meeting, I approached the President and asked about this comment or statement of his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos and he said ‘yes,’ they haven’t spoken for almost three years,” Castro told reporters.
Castro noted that Sen. Marcos “has not been attending family gatherings (and) family events.” She observed disappointment in the president's body language when asked about his reaction to his sister's remarks.
Despite the distance, Castro stressed, “The President has no ill feelings towards his older sister.” She declined to speculate on reasons for the silence, saying the matter should be addressed to the senator. The strained ties occur amid political differences, with Sen. Marcos allied to Vice President Sara Duterte.