Grieving Mother Pleads: Don’t Politicize My Son’s Death

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - With a mother’s voice filled with sorrow, Nena Vargas Tantoco, matriarch of the Rustan’s retail empire, has issued a heartfelt plea: stop using her son’s death for political agendas.

Her son, Paolo Tantoco, died on March 9 in Los Angeles while accompanying his wife, Dina, who was on an official work trip. Dina serves as the social secretary to First Lady Liza Marcos. Paolo was found lifeless in their hotel room.

In a message posted on the Bilyonaryo page, Nena expressed deep pain over the loss and defended the First Lady against unfounded accusations linking her to Paolo’s death.

“He died in the hotel room where he and his wife were staying. He was there simply to be with her. The First Lady had nothing to do with our son’s passing,” Nena said, her words bearing the weight of grief.

She bravely acknowledged that Paolo had used cocaine, but firmly denied he died from an overdose.

“The partial autopsy is there for anyone to read. It does not say our son died from an overdose. It mentions cocaine’s presence — yes — but also highlights accident and heart disease,” she explained.

With dignity and pain, she clarified: “Our son used cocaine, but it did not come from the First Lady, and she had no part in this tragedy.”

Nena’s message comes amid public speculation and online discussions that have tried to drag First Lady Liza Marcos into the narrative. The Palace had earlier condemned these insinuations as unfair and baseless.

As a mother mourning her son, Nena Tantoco’s appeal is simple: “Please, let us grieve in peace. Don’t politicize our pain.”