Marcos, Romualdez lash out at Dutertes for ‘drug addict’ accusation

MANILA, Philippines — In a first, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has rebuked former President Rodrigo Duterte for publicly accusing him of taking illegal drugs, saying that the former leader is suffering from his use of the “highly addictive” Fentanyl drug.

Similarly, House Speaker Martin Romualdez has also publicly called out the former president and his congressman son for levying “wild accusations” against the president during a rally over the weekend that observers believe is ultimately the Dutertes' show of force and political clout.

Marcos said on Monday in an interview with reporters: “It is highly addictive and it has very serious side effects. And PRRd has been taking the drug for a very long time now. When was the last time he told us that he was taking fentanyl?”

Romualdez on Sunday challenged the former president and Rep. Paolo Duterte (Davao City) to present proof of the accusations they flung at Marcos during their Davao City prayer rally, which was held to oppose attempts to change the Charter.

During the Davao event on Sunday, the Duterte patriarch called the president a “drug addict” and repeatedly alleged without basis that Marcos uses illegal substances.

Meanwhile, the younger Duterte called for Marcos’ resignation and ranted about his supposed laziness and inaction on criminality, among others. 

“Unless you have proof backing your alleged reasons for why President Marcos should step down from office, you should think first and show your proof. Because we know that what you’re saying is not true,” Romualdez said Sunday night according to a statement his office sent to reporters.

The House leader added that the Dutertes’ accusations were “budol-budol” messages, which roughly translates to messages that attempt to swindle.

“Sa pamilyang Duterte, siguro konting galang naman sa ating mahal na presidente tsaka sa pamilya n'ya. Noong panahon ng rehimen n'yo, iginalang naman kayo (To the Duterte family, maybe show a little respect for our dear president and his family. During your regime, you were respected),” Romualdez added.

The older Duterte’s accusation against Marcos appears to be in step with a recent coordinated campaign launched by dubious