Court orders Imelda to pay back P12M taken from NFA

MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan’s fifth division has ordered former first lady Imelda Marcos to pay back the government P12 million illegally taken from the National Food Authority (NFA).

A two-page writ of execution was issued against the widow of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos last week to be implemented by Sandiganbayan Sheriff Edgardo Urieta.

The antigraft court said the widow, who is now serving as a representative of Ilocos Norte, should pay the amount within 30 days from the receipt of the order.

The P12 million included P10 million in rebates issued by Philippine National Lines, the NFA’s shipping company, and deposited in a private account in 1983, and P2 million for moral damages and litigation costs.

The writ came seven months after the Sandiganbayan found the Marcoses guilty of diverting NFA funds.

The antigraft court said then President Marcos had verbally instructed NFA Administrator Jesus Tanchanco to withdraw the funds. Tanchanco testified that he delivered the funds to the Security Bank office in Makati.

If Imelda Marcos could not settle the amount, the court said she should provide a list of properties and assets to cover it. Kristine L. Alave