Senator Imee Marcos on Friday asked Malacañang to clearly explain if First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos had anything to do with the death of retail executive Paolo Tantoco. A medical examiner in Los Angeles, California said Tantoco died because of the effects of cocaine.
This issue could make the rift between Imee and her younger brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., even worse.
Imee pointed out that news reports said Tantoco, who came from the wealthy Rustan’s family, was part of the First Lady’s team during the Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Tantoco’s wife, Dina Arroyo-Tantoco, works in Malacañang as the deputy social secretary of the President.
Imee said it’s even more worrying that some people believe the First Lady may have known what really happened to Tantoco. Some are even saying she was there before, during, or just after his death.
“Because this is serious and people are interested, I ask Malacañang to release a full report about how Mr. Tantoco died. This includes any possible role—direct or indirect—of the First Lady or other government officials,” Imee said.
She also asked for proof of where the First Lady was at the time of Tantoco’s death. She said this should be shown in official records like the Medical Examiner’s Report to stop more rumors.
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s report said that Paolo Tantoco, 44, died inside his room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 8 due to “cocaine effects.”
The report also listed “probable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease” as another health issue that may have contributed to his death.
Hollywood LA News, a blog in the U.S., also shared the medical report. It said Tantoco “died from overdosing on coke,” ending months of rumors that he used drugs.
“The deputy medical examiner’s ruling came out on July 9 after lab tests. It was an accidental drug overdose,” the blog said.
