Gov’t to oppose Marcoses’ bid to block jewelry auction

MANILA, Philippines — The government will oppose any attempt of the Marcos family to block the public auction of the jewelry collection of former first lady Imelda Marcos, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the public auction of the P704.8 million worth of jewelry seized from the Marcoses in Hawaii in 1986.

“We feel that, as the President says, the proceeds have to go to the Filipino people who are in urgent need of government aid,” Panelo said at a press briefing.

The President approved the auction on the request of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).

The PCGG is also planning to auction off the Marcoses’ real estate properties and shares of stock worth P376 million.

Direct beneficiaries

But an organization of former political prisoners on Monday said martial law victims and their families should be the direct beneficiaries of the public auction.

“They come from the poor and underprivileged, from faraway provinces who do not have access to reparation process for rights victims,” said Danilo dela Fuente, vice chair of Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda).

“They deserve to benefit from these funds. Not doing so defeats the purpose of recovering all ill-gotten wealth from the Marcoses,” he said.

With the Marcoses regaining political influence under the Duterte administration after the midterm elections, Selda called for vigilance over the proceeds of the planned auction.