Forfeiture of Imelda's jewelry a 'victory' for Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan's recent decision in favor of the state against former first lady Imelda Marcos over her jewelry sets is a "victory" for the nation, the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chief said.

PCGG Chairman Andres Bautista said that while he is pleased with the ruling that forfeits pieces of jewelry called Malacañang Collection previously belonging to Marcos, it may only usher another chapter in the decades-long legal battle.

"Siyempre tayo ay natutuwa na nanalo ang gobyerno sa kasong ito kumbaga this is another victory for the Filipino people," Bautista said in a radio interview on Tuesday.

"Pero dapat din nitong alalahanin na ito'y desisyun lamang ng Sandiganbayan, kumbaga mayroon pang appeal at hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ng mga Marcos kung ia-appeal pa nila ito sa ating Korte Suprema," he said.

Bautista also said that President Benigno Aquino III may choose to display the pieces for the public to see or they will be auctioned off for a higher value.

The PCGG filed the petition on December 17, 1991 and was only recently decided on by the Sandiganbayan Special Division.

“Partial summary judgment is hereby rendered declaring the pieces of jewelry, known as the Malacañang Collection, as ill-gotten, and are hereby forfeited in favor of petitioner Republic of the Philippines,” the ruling stated.

The collection was declared to be worth between  $110,055 and $153,089 (at least P4.9 million) and was confiscated by the government from the Marcos family after President Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown through the People Power Revolution in 1986.

The collection is among the least expensive of the pieces left by the Marcoses when they fled for Hawaii that year.