The Philippines is witnessing a political spectacle unlike any other in its modern history—a public and painful disintegration of the First Family. The facade of unity that once propelled the “Uniteam” to power has completely shattered, replaced by open hostility, shocking accusations, and a sibling rivalry that threatens to destabilize the administration. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) has finally broken his silence regarding the relentless attacks from his elder sister, Senator Imee Marcos, and his response was nothing short of a verbal disowning that has sent shockwaves through the political establishment.

The conflict reached a boiling point following Senator Imee’s appearance at a recent rally, where she hurled explosive allegations against her brother, specifically accusing him and the First Family of substance abuse. These claims, striking at the very integrity of the presidency, demanded a response. When pressed by the media for his reaction, President Marcos Jr. did not display the fury one might expect. Instead, he adopted a tone of pity and detachment, delivering a line that will likely define their relationship for years to come: “The lady you see talking on TV is not my sister.”

This statement is profound. By claiming that the woman launching these attacks is effectively a stranger to him, the President is employing a psychological defense, suggesting that Senator Imee has lost her way or is perhaps mentally unwell. He elaborated that he, along with friends and extended family, has been “very worried” about her for some time. “That view is shared by our cousins, our friends,” he stated, reinforcing the narrative that Imee is isolated not just from him, but from the entire clan. He hammered the final nail in the coffin of their political partnership by admitting they “no longer travel in the same circles, political or otherwise.”

While the President’s words were measured, the political undercurrents suggest a much more aggressive counter-move is in the works. The video title circulating online—”IMEE MARCOS YARI NA DAKIP SA SENADO” (Imee Marcos Done For, Arrested in Senate)—reflects the fevered speculation among political observers and vloggers. While no official warrant of arrest has been issued against a sitting senator for these specific statements, the atmosphere is ripe for retaliation. There are growing whispers that the administration’s allies in the Senate could move to file ethics complaints against Imee for “unparliamentary conduct” or behavior unbecoming of a public official. In the ruthless game of Philippine politics, “disciplinary action” can often be a precursor to suspension or expulsion, effectively neutralizing a critic from within.

Adding fuel to the fire is the resurrection of past personal scandals. The President’s “worry” for his sister’s mental state was echoed in a sharp rebuke from former beauty queen Aurora Pijuan. Pijuan, whose past relationship with Tommy Manotoc is intertwined with Imee’s personal history, took to social media to comment on Imee’s behavior. “You talk and behave like an addict,” Pijuan wrote, flipping the script on Imee’s own accusations against her brother. This has dragged up decades-old controversies involving alleged kidnappings and romantic entanglements during the elder Marcos’s regime, reminding the public that the current feud is deeply rooted in a complex and often dark family history.

The political fallout of this schism is immense. Senator Imee has positioned herself as a critic of the administration, aligning more with the Duterte faction and the “Marcos Resign” movement. However, by disowning her public persona, PBBM is signaling to his allies that she is no longer protected by the presidential seal. This opens her up to political attacks that were previously off-limits. If the rumors of legal cases or ethics probes are true, we could see a scenario where the President’s sister battles for her political survival against the very machine she helped build.

Meanwhile, the President also addressed the other thorn in his side: former Appropriations Chair Zaldy Co. Co has been releasing videos alleging billions in kickbacks involving the President and Speaker Martin Romualdez. Marcos Jr. dismissed these claims as “fake news” and issued a direct challenge to the hiding lawmaker: “Come home.” He dared Co to face his cases in the Philippines if his evidence is truly solid. This two-front war—one against a former ally in Congress and another against his own sister—paints a picture of a President under siege, yet confident enough to call the bluffs of his accusers.

As the dust settles on these latest pronouncements, one thing is clear: the era of the “Marcos Solid North” is over. The dynasty is at war with itself. The President has drawn a line, declaring that anyone who attacks his administration, regardless of blood relation, is an outsider. Whether this leads to the actual “jail and removal” (kulong at sibak) predicted by sensationalist commentators remains to be seen, but the political knives are undeniably out, and the family reunion is indefinitely cancelled.