MANILA – Senator Imee Marcos expressed regret for not fulfilling her late father Ferdinand Marcos’ repeated wishes for her to watch over her younger brother, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., acknowledging their long-standing rift over political disagreements and allegations of drug use.

In a video shared on social media, Imee recalled her father’s guidance to repent and reflect on forgiveness during Holy Week. She said she feels she failed to protect her brother as her father repeatedly instructed throughout their lives.

“Ngayon iniisip ko na ang dapat ihingi ko ng tawad. Sa tatay ko, ihingi ko ng tawad na hindi ko nagampanan ‘yung utos niya, ‘yung habilin niya… parating binibilin si Bongbong,” Imee said.
(Now I’m thinking about what I should apologize for. To my father, I apologize for not fulfilling your order and wish, which you repeatedly told me… always telling me to watch over Bongbong.)

She admitted that she tried but could not manage the strained relationship. “Hindi ko nabantayan eh… Kaya Dad, sinubukan ko talaga, pinagpilitan ko. Nayayamot na nga sa akin si Bongbong… Pero hindi ko talaga kinaya.”
(I wasn’t able to watch over him. Dad, I really tried, I forced myself… But I just couldn’t handle it.)

Imee also pointed to external influences that worsened their relationship, saying, “Maraming humaharang, maraming nagbabawal, maraming naninira… Kaya humihingi ako ng tawad. Hindi ko kinaya eh.”
(There were many people who were blocking, forbidding, trying to destroy us… That’s why I apologize. I couldn’t handle it.)

The senator’s apology comes months after she publicly accused President Marcos of using illegal drugs, a claim Malacañang dismissed as “desperate.” She had challenged the First Family to take a hair follicle drug test in exchange for a DNA test to dispel rumors about her parentage.

President Marcos, when asked about his sister’s accusations, expressed concern for her well-being. “For a while now, we’ve been very worried about my sister… the lady you see talking on TV is not my sister. That view is shared by our cousins, friends… hindi siya ‘yan,” he said.

The exchange highlights the continued tension within the Marcos family, with Imee Marcos publicly seeking both forgiveness from her late father and reconciliation with her brother.