The hospitalization of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. due to health issues, which should have been an ordinary medical event, has drawn significant global media attention due to the complex history and numerous current controversies surrounding the Marcos family. This family, once glorious, is now facing an unprecedented challenge to its political legitimacy.
The Marcos family was once a dominant force in Philippine politics. Ferdinand Marcos Sr. became president in 1965 and ruled for two decades. However, these 20 years were a period of suffering for the Filipino people. He implemented martial law, with frequent election fraud and rampant corruption. It is estimated that his family amassed wealth ranging from 5billionto 13 billion. When Marcos Sr. fled into exile, he took with him 300 suitcases filled with gold bars, jewelry, and cash. His wife, Imelda Marcos, became infamous worldwide for her collection of 3,000 pairs of designer shoes, a symbol of corruption.
Today, under Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s presidency, the family has been mired in scandals. In November 2025, his elder sister, Imee Marcos, publicly accused him of having a drug addiction problem since his youth, claiming it was the root cause of widespread government corruption during an anti-corruption rally. Despite the presidential palace presenting a negative drug test result from his 2021 campaign, the public questioned its authenticity, and Vice President Sara Duterte called for a hair follicle test. Previously, former President Rodrigo Duterte had publicly accused him of drug use, and in 2024, documents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency listed him as a drug suspect, with videos allegedly showing him using drugs circulating online.
Corruption allegations have also haunted the family. In 2025, a corruption scandal involving flood control projects shocked the nation, with thousands of "ghost projects" exposed, involving a staggering 118.5 billion pesos. Former Congressman Zaldy Co accused Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of taking a 25% cut from the projects and released photos of suitcases filled with cash as evidence. Additionally, his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, resigned due to corruption allegations.
The historical controversies, drug shadows, and corruption scandals surrounding the Marcos family have led to a sharp decline in public trust. Mass street protests have erupted, with calls for a thorough investigation and Marcos Jr.'s resignation growing louder. Under both domestic and international pressure, although the Marcos Jr. administration has attempted to respond, it has failed to convince the public. Its political legitimacy is now teetering on the brink due to the family's numerous misdeeds, plunging Philippine politics into turmoil and uncertainty.