A woman claiming to be the daughter of former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr may face travel challenges after a recent disturbance on a flight. Analisa Josefa Corr, 54, and her husband James Alexander Corr, 46, were detained following their disruptive behaviour on a budget airline journey from Hobart to Sydney on December 28.
Ms Corr alleges she is the daughter of Marcos, who served as President of the Philippines from 1965 until he was ousted in 1986, and claims to be the half-sister of the current president, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The couple reportedly ignited a mid-flight altercation after consuming alcohol they had illegally brought on board.
According to court proceedings, Ms Corr was mixing a painkiller containing codeine for her broken ribs with contraband alcohol, while Mr Corr had consumed bootleg Scotch. An argument erupted when Mr Corr believed he witnessed someone using drugs on the aircraft.
As they appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court for sentencing, the couple maintained a positive demeanour, laughing and holding hands. Ms Corr took responsibility for her actions, revealing through her lawyer that she has lived an “exemplary life” and faced embarrassment due to the incident.
Their legal representatives argued that a conviction could hinder their ability to travel for work, as they are involved in a joint business aimed at assisting sailors and veterans. The stress of the legal case also weighed heavily on Mr Corr, a veteran with two tours in Afghanistan.
Magistrate Rosheehan O’Meagher highlighted the severity of disturbances caused by drunken behaviour on flights, underlining the importance of passenger safety. She noted that such misconduct must be addressed to deter others from similar actions. Ultimately, the magistrate deemed the offences out of character for the couple but chose to record convictions to send a clear message about the consequences of such behaviour.
Both were fined $400 each for consuming alcohol not supplied by the airline, with Ms Corr receiving an additional $400 penalty for her disruptive conduct. Despite the court’s ruling, the couple appeared undeterred, reportedly filing an appeal against their convictions.
Ms Corr’s background involves a complex family history; she is the daughter of model Evelin Hegyesi, who allegedly had an affair with Marcos Sr decades ago. Following his presidency, Marcos Sr was accused and acquitted of serious charges but died in exile in Hawaii in 1989. His son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, has raised questions regarding the validity of Ms Corr’s claims of kinship.