MANILA, Philippines (Updated 7:51 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday announced that the family of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos is willing to return "a few gold bars" that they had hidden away.
Marcos ruled the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, during which many cases of human rights abuses and corruption were documented.
READ: Board to start releasing reparations for Martial Law victims on May 8
The Marcos family has been accused of stashing $10 billion in secret bank accounts abroad.
Duterte said a spokesman for the Marcoses had told him that the family was willing to “open everything” and to return wealth accumulated during the Marcos' decades as president.
"I will not name the spokesman," he said.
He said that included in the offer of the Marcos family were “a few gold bars” stashed away abroad.
“The Marcoses... Sabi nila, they’ll open everything and probably return yung nakita lang. Sabi nila: 'Malaki yung deficit mo sa... maybe this year and projected deficit spending baka makatulong',” the president said during the mass oath-taking of newly-appointed government officials.
“'Pero hindi ito malaki, but we are ready to open and bring back' sabi niya, pati yung a few gold bars,” the president claimed.
Duterte said that the gold bars to be returned were hidden by the former dictator as a way to protect the economy.
The chief executive added that he is willing to accept the family’s explanation “whether or not it is true.”
“But he has thought of regaining Malacañang and that is why ganito ang lumabas... parang naitago,” Duterte, who has expressed adulation for the late dictator and who ordered his remains buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani last year, said.
Duterte could not say how much would be returned to the government. He said he would create a team that would negotiate with the influential political family to facilitate the turnover of the wealth. He revealed that backchannel talks between the government and the Marcoses are now ongoing.
Former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lost to Vice President Leni Robredo in a tight electoral contest last year. The defeat of the younger Marcos is now the subject of an electoral protest at the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.
Duterte to tap three people to talk to Marcoses
“(I’m) trying to look for a guy not identified with anybody to handle the negotiation if they want,” the president said. “I’m looking at a former Chief Justice. I’ll leave the talking to them, then another CPA (certified public accountant), and maybe a representative of all that is accepted also by all,” he added.
“I am happy na we come make something really worthwhile for the Filipino,” he also said.
Duterte in the past praised the Martial Law period under the late strongman, which human rights groups and activists see as a dark chapter in Philippine history.
He even acquiesced to the burial of the late strongman in the country’s heroes’ cemetery, a move slammed by critics.
Duterte’s father Vicente served as a Cabinet member of Marcos. Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, daughter of the late president, backed Duterte’s presidential bid.
READ: A look into plans to abolish the agency going after Marcos loot
Duterte eyes creation of new anti-graft agency
According to the Presidential Commission on Good Government, which was formed in 1986, the government has already recovered P170 billion worth of illegally-gotten wealth.
Despite this, the government is considering abolishing the government agency, with one Cabinet secretary claiming that it is not doing anything.
Duterte said he would have wanted to abolish the PCGG but decided not to do so as it would create speculation.
“PCGG is focused on the Marcos wealth. I wanted to abolish it but people might say I abolished it as it was on the verge of discovering something,” the president said.
Duterte said he would just create a new office that would deal with graft and corruption in government.
“I will create another office. Itong… I just name it good government but there is already an existing one. Maybe an anti-graft (agency) and I am looking for somebody to handle,” the President said.
“I’m really looking for somebody. I want to hire someone but I don’t think that person will accept the offer, a justice. One or two or three. And maybe a lady not identified with me nor identified with the other group,” he added.
The Duterte administration floated the idea of abolishing the PCGG last month.
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno has said the PCGG may be scrapped to streamline the bureaucracy and to cut costs.
Officials claimed that the proposal had nothing to do with Duterte’s political leanings.
In 2001, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formed the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to probe complaints against government officials.
The office was abolished by President Benigno Aquino III in 2010.