President Duterte has given his official consent allowing the public auction of former First Lady Imelda Marco’s jewelry collection worth P700 million, Malacañang announced yesterday.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said the Office of the President has posed no objection to the sale of the Marcos jewels.
“OP (Office of the President) has officially informed PCGG (Presidential Commission on Good Government that it interposes no objections to the proposed activities relative to the disposal of the Marcos Jewelry Collections, subject to compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations,” he said.
With the green light given by the President, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the PCGG must conduct the auction of the recovered Marcos jewels.
Panelo also insisted that the proceeds of the sale must reach Filipinos especially those in need of government aid. He said Congress may amend the law that limits the proceeds of the sale of ill-gotten properties of the Marcoses to the comprehensive agrarian reform program.
In his visit to Japan last week, the President has approved the sale of the jewelry from the Marcos family reportedly worth P700 million through public auction.
The jewelry collection, which reportedly included diamond-studded tiaras, bracelets and necklaces, was seized in Honolulu, Hawaii where the Marcos family fled in 1986 following the EDSA People Power Revolution that ended the strongman’s two decades in power. (Genalyn Kabiling)
