MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he has not spoken with his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, for almost three years, noting that she has also been absent from family gatherings.

In a report, it said that the President made the remark after Senator Imee described her relationship with him as “non-existent,” according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro.

Castro said she asked the President for his reaction following the UPLIFT meeting on Tuesday morning.

“‘Yes, immediately after the UPLIFT Committee meeting, I approached the President and asked about this comment or statement of his sister Senator Imee Marcos and he said ‘yes, they haven’t spoken for almost a years, she has not been attending family gatherings, family event,’ so iyon po ang sagot ng Pangulo (so that was the President’s answer),’” Castro said.

She added that based on her observation, the President appeared disappointed with his sister’s statements.

“Bago siya kasi sumagot ay pinag-isipan niya talaga, sa aking paningin sa kanyang body language ay disappointed siya sa kanyang nadidinig na mga salita mula sa kanyang kapatid,” she said.

Castro repeated the same assessment, noting the President’s reaction.

In November last year, Senator Imee Marcos accused the President of using illegal drugs, allegations Malacañang described as “desperate.”

The senator also claimed that First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and some of the President’s associates were involved in drug use, and alleged that members of the Marcos family, including Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos, had used illegal drugs. Sandro Marcos denied the accusations, saying they had no basis and were untrue.

In response, President Marcos previously said, “That lady that you see talking on TV is not my sister.”