SENATOR Imee Marcos’ recent speech has drawn sharp, varied reactions. Here in the city, the “DDS” — or Diehard Duterte Supporters — cheered it on.

Their battle cry is “BBM resign,” fueled by accusations of the President being a “drug addict.” For them, this signals the beginning of the end of his presidency.

Yet, the reaction from the President's camp has been hysterical — or rather, historical. My friend Fely jokingly calls it “herstory.” The public discourse has degenerated into an “eye for an eye” spectacle.

A pro-administration vlogger dug up the senator’s Kabataang Barangay days. The vlogger recalled Archimedes Trajano, an idealistic student who dared to question why Imee headed the youth group while her father, Marcos Sr., held power. Trajano was reportedly dragged away by Imee’s guards, tortured, and killed. The victim's family later filed a case in a Hawaii court, and the Marcoses were ordered to pay over $4 million. This was reported in 1986.

Then, the nagging rumors of paternity returned with a vengeance. One vlogger juxtaposed the senator's features with those of former Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson, dredging up details of Imelda Marcos’ days as the “Muse of Manila” — a title allegedly secured through Lacson after she failed to win Miss Manila. Visual comparisons focused intently on their chins, sparking malicious speculation about plastic surgery.

Even Rep. Sandro Marcos weighed in, questioning whether her belittling words were those of a true sister. Meanwhile, opinion writers speculate the senator’s animosity stems from frustration: she allegedly coveted the role of Special Assistant to the President, a post that went to Anton Lagdameo instead.

Analysts also suggest a rift has formed between the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) and the DDS. Unwilling to be identified with the latter, the INC reportedly cut the rally short — ending it on the second day instead of the scheduled three. The religious group was allegedly shocked by the tenor of Imee's speech.

The word on the street is that it is now INC versus the DDS. And the latest joke making the rounds? President Marcos should agree to a hair follicle drug test — but only if Senator Imee agrees to a DNA test.

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