Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has refuted allegations made by his estranged sister, Senator Imee Marcos, claiming he is a cocaine addict whose substance abuse has impaired his governance. Meanwhile, two New Zealand authors have been disqualified from the country's top literary prize due to the use of artificial intelligence in their book cover designs.

Philippine President's Denial of Drug Addiction

Ferdinand Marcos Jr's spokesperson, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, labeled the accusations from Senator Imee Marcos as baseless. Imee claimed that her brother's alleged drug addiction dates back to their father's presidency and has negatively impacted his ability to govern. Castro suggested that Imee's comments were an attempt to divert attention from ongoing investigations into corruption linked to flood control projects that may involve her Senate allies. An independent commission is probing allegations of kickbacks to influential lawmakers from construction companies.

Imee Marcos, a vocal critic of her brother’s administration, claimed that his addiction has led to widespread corruption and poor decision-making. The scandal has drawn public outrage in a nation frequently affected by severe flooding and typhoons. Imee has also alleged that the president's family members are involved in drug use, although she provided no evidence for her claims.

Disqualification of New Zealand Authors from Literary Prize

In a separate incident, award-winning New Zealand authors Stephanie Johnson and Elizabeth Smither were disqualified from the prestigious Ockham Book Awards due to the use of AI in their cover designs. The awards committee amended guidelines regarding AI use after the authors submitted their works, leading to their exclusion from the NZ$65,000 fiction prize. The publisher, Quentin Wilson, expressed disappointment, noting that the new guidelines came too late for authors and publishers to adjust their submissions.

Johnson, whose book "Obligate Carnivore" was disqualified, expressed sadness over the decision, emphasizing that her writing was not influenced by AI. She highlighted the disconnect between authors and cover design, stating she was unaware that AI had been used in her book's cover, which features a cat with human teeth. Smither echoed similar sentiments, expressing concern for the designers whose efforts were overlooked.

Wrap-up

The controversies surrounding President Marcos and the disqualification of the New Zealand authors reflect ongoing societal challenges, from governance issues in the Philippines to the evolving role of technology in creative fields. As both stories unfold, they underscore the complexities of familial relationships in politics and the impact of technological advancements on traditional artistic practices.

Sources: theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team