Marcos Family Willing To Return Gold Bars To PH Gov’t Under President Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte revealed Tuesday, August 29, that Marcos family is willing to return a portion of the ill-gotten wealth they amassed during the regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, including the “few gold bars.”

President Duterte made the revelation in an impromptu speech delivered before the newly-appointed government officials at the Palace’s Rizal Hall.

In his speech, the President said the Marcos family expressed willingness to “open everything and probably return” some of the hidden wealth that had been discovered by the Philippine government.

  

President Duterte said the Marcoses sought to give back a couple of gold bars since the deficit spending of the administration is projected to be “big” in 2017.

He, however, clarified that the property that would be returned is not the thousands of tons of gold bought by the late despot from Fort Knox.

“The Marcoses – I will not name the spokesman – said that they’ll open everything and probably return those [ill-gotten wealth] that had been discovered. They said maybe this year, the projected deficit spending would be big,” the President said.

“They said it might help, even if it’s just a few. [They also add], ‘We are ready to open and bring back [the hidden wealth], including a few gold bars. It’s not that huge. It’s not a Fort Knox. [Just] a few,” he added.

Marcos and his family were accused of looting enormous public funds during his 20 years in power. 

 

In 2014, the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which was tasked to recover the ill-gotten wealth of Marcoses, recovered $29 million inclusive of interest which forms part of the multi-million dollar Marcos’ Swiss bank deposits in two West LB accounts in Singapore.

The Chief Executive said he was accepting the Marcoses’ explanation on returning the gold bars.

“I will accept the explanation, whether or not it is to [benefit the country]. There’s nothing more to it and they are ready to return. How much? They would give me an accounting,” he said.

“They are ready and I’m happy that we come with a clean breast, make something that is really worthwhile for the Filipino. That’s my explanation,” he added.

Meanwhile, President Duterte reiterated his plan to dismantle the PCGG but however changed his mind following the latest development.

The President said he was instead scouting for at least three persons who can negotiate with the Marcoses regarding their plan to return the gold bars to the Philippine government.

He said he may pick mediators who are “not identified with [him] nor identified with the other group.”

“I want to abolish it but the people might say that on the verge of discovering something, it has been dismantled,” the President said.

“Trying to look for a guy not identified with anybody to handle the negotiation, if they want. I’m looking at a former Chief Justice, then another CPA and maybe a representative of all that is accepted also by all so that three individuals can do the negotiation,” he added.

Source: SunStar PH