By Darryl John Esguerra

FIRST FAMILY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the First Family’s official photo shortly after his inaugural address at the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila on June 30, 2022. Senator Imee Marcos (3rd from left) attended the event, but the President himself said he has been distant from his eldest sister for about three years now. (PCO photo)

MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday confirmed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has not been in contact with his eldest sister, Senator Imee Marcos, for years, although he harbors no ill feelings toward her.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President himself confirmed the situation following a meeting in Malacañang, noting that Senator Marcos has not been attending family gatherings or events.

“Yes, they haven’t spoken for almost three years, and she has not been attending family gatherings and events,” Castro said.

Senator Marcos earlier described her relationship with her brother as “non-existent,” while raising concerns about his health and calling for transparency from Malacañang.

The Palace statement comes amid a growing public perception of political divergence between the senator and the administration.

The senator frequently aligns herself with positions associated with former president Rodrigo R. Duterte and his allies on several policy and governance issues.

Despite the reported distance, Malacañang stressed that the President holds no ill feelings toward his sister.

“Tanungin ninyo po si Senator Imee, dahil sa Pangulo po ay wala siyang anumang masamang damdamin sa kanyang nakatatandang kapatid (You may ask Senator Imee, as the President has no ill feelings toward his older sister),” Castro said. (PNA)