Vice President Sara Duterte said President Marcos should undergo a drug test to dispel allegations raised recently by his own sister, Senator Imee Marcos, that members of the First Family are using illegal drugs.

In an interview with News5 during the "DU30" fun run on Sunday, Nov. 23, Duterte said public officials cannot refuse drug testing, especially when questions involve their ability to lead.

“Kapag president ka or vice president or any government official for that matter… hindi ka puwedeng humindi kapag sinasabihan ka na magpa-drug test ka (If you are the president, vice president, or any government official for that matter, you cannot refuse when you’re asked to take a drug test),” she said.

Asked whether she believes the President is using illegal drugs, Duterte echoed what she heard from people who had been with the First Couple.

“Lahat ng mga nakasama nila sa mga party nila nagsasabi na gumagamit sila ng droga (Everyone who has been with them in their parties says they are using drugs),” she said.

Pressed on whether she was prepared to replace Marcos if the President were ousted, Duterte declined to comment, saying doing so would only inflame the issue.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro rejected Duterte’s remarks and questioned why the Vice President had not demanded drug tests from her own father, Rodrigo Duterte, when he was president.

“Inutusan ba niya ang kanyang ama na magpa-drug test (Did she ever ask her father to take a drug test)?” she said Sunday evening, Nov. 23.

The Palace Press Officer also pointed out that Duterte’s own presidential spokesperson, Harry Roque, had once said a sitting president cannot be compelled to undergo such a test. This was in August 2018 when former senator Antonio Trillanes IV dared the former chief executive to take the same drug test he did.

“Anyway, umamin na pala si dating Pangulong Duterte na nagma-marijuana at pag-aabuso sa fentanyl habang siya ay presidente dahil sa masarap ang cloud 9 feeling (Anyway, former President Duterte himself admitted to using marijuana and abusing fentanyl while he was president because of the ‘cloud 9 feeling’),” Castro said.

Castro said President Marcos continues to work and pursue corrupt officials, contrasting this with what she described as past “pagwawala, pagmumura, pagbabanta sa buhay, at mga uncontrollable anger issues (fits of rage, cursing, death threats, and uncontrollable anger issues).”

“Iyan ang nag-aasal lutang na parang nasa impluwensya ng pinagbabawal na gamot (That is what looks high, as if under the influence of illegal drugs),” she said.

Malacañang earlier said Marcos had already tested negative and that he would not entertain calls for him to undergo a hair follicle test.

According to PCO Secretary Dave Gomez, President Marcos remains focused on governance despite a spike in political noise, Malacañang said, stressing that “baseless and recycled claims” will not derail the President’s work.

He added that governance “does not stop” amid the challenges being handled by the administration.

“Patuloy ang trabaho ng Pangulo natin (The President continues to work),” Gomez told ANC on Nov. 18.

“Napakalaki ng responsibilidad ng ating Pangulo (The President has a big responsibility). And he will not stop. He will not dignify any and all of these wild allegations that are swirling around at the moment,” he added.

Gomez likewise addressed allegations raised once again by Sen. Marcos, saying the accusation had already been publicly resolved during the 2022 campaign when President Marcos voluntarily took a drug test at St. Luke’s Medical Center.

“Negative sa cocaine use (He tested negative for cocaine use),” Gomez said of the result.

“At ang resulta ng drug test na ’yun ay mahigit 30 million Filipinos voted for Ferdinand Marcos Jr. So lumang tugtugin na (More than 30 million Filipinos voted for Marcos — this is an old tune),” he added.

Palace ally and civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia praised President Marcos for continuing with his duties despite the allegations.

“Real leaders do not allow noise to dictate their priorities,” he said.

“Show me a leader who remains steady despite being bombarded from every direction, and I will show you someone who understands the weight of responsibility,” he added.

Goitia also noted that First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has also become a target of rumors “not because of wrongdoing, but because she rises above political theatrics.”

“People attack what they cannot influence,” Goitia said, citing her continued work in cultural and institutional programs.

“They target her because she stays focused on meaningful work. Her composure frustrates those who rely on chaos,” he added.