Duterte still studying how to best proceed with Marcos offer to return loot

MANILA, Philippines — Days after he divulged an offer from the family of the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos to return some of their illegally-obtained wealth, President Rodrigo Duterte is still studying how to best proceed with the proposal which could have repercussions on cases against the former first family.

In a speech on Tuesday, Duterte revealed that a spokesman for the Marcoses said that the family was willing to “open everything” and return some of the loot they accumulated during their more than two decades of being in power from 1965 to 1986.

The rule of the family patriarch Ferdinand was marred by massive cases of human rights violation and corruption. He is regularly counted among the most corrupt strongmen in history.

The Marcoses are accused of stashing $10 billion in secret bank accounts abroad, and the Philippine government has so far recovered only $3.6 billion.

The family said that Marcos hid this wealth because he was expecting to return to power, a reason Duterte seemed willing to accept.

According to the president, who openly expressed his admiration for Marcos, also included in the offer was the return of “a few gold bars.”

READ: ‘Return of Marcos wealth should be all or nothing’

Duterte said that the family made the offer to help the government cover its budget deficit as it embarks on an ambitious infrastructure program spread over the next few years despite structural weaknesses in its revenue-generating capacity.

“The President is studying how best to proceed in a manner that will advance the nation’s interest and comply with the law,” Ernesto Abella, a presidential spokesman, said.

Abella said that the government would advise further actions that could help to “finally obtain justice” especially for the victims of the brutal Marcos regime once the offer became clearer.

The president came under criticism following his announcement as some alleged that he seemed to have acted like a spokesman for the family of the late dictator, whose interment at the heroes’ cemetery was approved by Duterte after years of denial by former presidents.

In a separate statement, Abella said that the president disclosed the offer in “the spirit of transparency” as he assured the public that Duterte had its best interest in mind in talking about the Marcos loot.

READ: Solon: Marcos heirs should confirm return of ill-gotten wealth

Duterte’s justice secretary, Vitaliano Aguirre II, warned the chief executive against making hasty moves as these would have repercussions on the pending cases against the Marcoses.

He said that any return of wealth should be done “under the framework of the law.”

Aguirre said: “The President is authorized and has the power to make compromise or any agreement with the Marcoses. If there will be a new agreement, there should be enabling law or initiative law to be issued by the President himself.”

READ: Martial law victims' group: Marcoses should return all ill-gotten wealth