Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
VILLASIS, PANGASINAN–Do not believe anyone collecting money in the name of the Marcos family, the eldest daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos said here on Wednesday. “Our family has never, ever authorized anyone to collect whatever amounts have been taken because of a promise to share the alleged Marcos wealth,” said Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.
On March 17, some residents of Calasiao town were lured to a membership drive by a group claiming it was preparing to distribute wealth amassed by Marcos.
They were made to pay for identification cards. The group, named Perlas Foundation, sent text messages to “beneficiaries,” requiring attendance in a meeting and for recruits to bring pens, two ID pictures and P265 for their ID card.
At least 300 recruits had paid P30 as membership fee and got brochures with a picture of Ferdinand Marcos. “Do not give up your money in exchange for promises of gold. My family will not extort money from anyone,” Imee said. –YOLANDA SOTELO