Assailed by netizens after trading accusations in public about their respective drug use, Duterte and Marcos have been at each others crosshairs right after the media reported the presence of probers from the International Criminal Court have arrived in the country.

Duterte had accused Marcos of allowing the ICC investigators to gather evidence that would be used in the prosecution of the former president in connection with the reported state-sponsored deaths of over 12,000 Filipinos during the bloody drug war during his term as president

In a press briefing on Tuesday (January 30), Duterte dared Marcos to have himself tested for drug use to prove his refute his accusations.

“Set it in Luneta Park, magpakuha siya ng dugo doon sa independent entity o doktor. Magpakuha rin ako, sige pati ako. Pakuha siya ng blood test,” the former president told the news media.

This challenge was Duterte’s response to Marcos’ claim that his predecessor has been using Fentanyl, a powerful pain reliever that is being being widely abused in many parts of the world, particularly in the United States.

It was also an apparent reaction to a statement made by Speaker Martin Romualdez challenging Duterte to show proof of Marcos’ alleged drug use.

In a prayer rally in Davao City last Sunday, Duterte accused the president of using illegal drugs, claiming that Marcos was “bangag” or high on drugs.

The president retorted that Duterte’s allegations could be the result of excessive use of Fentanyl by the foul-mouthed former chief executive.

Meanwhile, netizens continued to air their displeasure over the exchanges of tirades by the country’s most influential politicians.

Many are disappointed for having voted them as presidents, not knowing that they are using illegal substances.

During the 2022 presidential elections, the Marcos camp boasted that its then presidential candidate responded to accusations of being a drug addict by submitting himself to drug test.