Proceeds of Marcos jewelry auction to go to Filipinos in dire need of aid — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang assured Friday that the proceeds of the public auction of former first lady Imelda Marcos’ P704.8-million jewelry will go to Filipinos in need of urgent government assistance.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo issued the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the auction of the jewelry seized after the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted 1986.

READ: Duterte OKs auction of P704.8M Marcos jewelry

“The Chief Executive directs that the proceeds must reach our fellow countrymen who are in urgent need of governmental aid with dispatch,” Panelo said.

The Palace official also allayed fears that the “publicly acknowledged” support given by Senator-elect Imee Marcos could affect Duterte’s decision on the sale of her mother’s jewelry collection.

“The President is no respecter of friendship, political alliance, and filial relationship. The President decides on any national matter on the basis of the constitutional command to him to serve and protect the people,” he said.

Duterte has repeatedly claimed in his public speeches that Imee was among the few who helped him during the 2016 presidential elections. His late father, Vicente, also served in the late strongman’s cabinet.

In November 2016, Duterte allowed the late dictator’s’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani despite public condemnation.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), the agency tasked to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family, had been seeking the President’s approval on its proposal to auction off Imelda’s so-called Hawaii jewelry collection. (Editor: Eden Estopace)