GMA halts sale of Imelda gems

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo ordered yesterday the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to abort its plan to auction off some P15 billion worth of seized jewelry from the Marcoses.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said in a statement that Mrs. Arroyo ordered the PCGG “to hold off any further moves leading to the auction of the jewelry of former first lady Imelda Marcos.”

Mendoza said the President “is now leaving it to her successor to decide on the final disposition of the Imelda jewels.”

He said the directive was coursed through PCGG Commissioner Ricardo Abcede, who had been publicly pressing for the sale of the jewelry before Mrs. Arroyo steps down on June 30. Abcede’s insistence drew suspicions as to why the administration wants to rush the auction.

Mendoza noted much headway has been made by the PCGG towards the jewelry auction “but time has run out on the process, and it is best left to the incoming administration.”

The jewelry was confiscated by the government from the Marcoses as part of their ill-gotten wealth and has been kept at the vaults of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for more than 20 years.

Earlier in the day, presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo said the administration wants the sale rushed so the proceeds could be immediately used.

Saludo, however, said the process must be transparent and regular even if the transaction would reach the next administration.

Appraisal still on

Meantime, Abcede, the PCGG commissioner handling asset management, said that the appraisal of the Imelda jewels being conducted by international auction houses Christie’s of London and Sotheby’s is pushing through as scheduled.

In an advisory sent to PCGG reporters yesterday, Abcede said that Brett O’Connor of Sotheby’s was due to arrive last night from London, to lead their house’s bid to make an appraisal of the Marcos jewelry.

“Two other gemologists of Sotheby’s Hong Kong will arrive tomorrow morning to join Brett in appraising the Imelda jewels,” Abcede said in a text message to reporters.

Raymond Sancroft-Baker, director of Christie’s of London’s European Jewelry department, was expected to finish his appraisal last night.

‘Jewels should be loaned’

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, for his part, recommended yesterday that the Marcos jewelry collections be loaned to the National Museum.

“I suggest that the Marcos jewelry composed of three collections – the Hawaii, Malacañang and Roumeliotes – be loaned to the National Museum, for safekeeping and as an added attraction to our national, historical and cultural treasures,” Zubiri said.

 Zubiri pointed out that the National Museum needs an added boost to be able to attract Filipinos and tourists around the world to visit the historical and cultural site.    –With Rainier Allan Ronda, Christina Mendez