President Rodrigo Duterte urged his congressional allies to grant immunity to the Marcos family in exchange for a portion of the family’s alleged ill-gotten wealth.
“Congress might decide to pass a law to allow the government to negotiate with the Marcos family. They should be in talks with the Department of Justice or representatives of the finance department and Central Bank,” Duterte said after visiting the wake of two killed soldiers in Marawi City at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
He also said he would encourage the House and Senate to create a new law that will grant immunity from criminal prosecution to the family of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in exchange for the return of the ill-gotten wealth.
“I cannot agree or disagree with a proposition na wala akong authority. The President, remember, only enforces the agreements,” Duterte said.
Previously, he vowed that his administration will recover the Marcos wealth.
The President also announced weeks ago that Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos told him that it is possible for them to return their hidden wealth to the government, including offshore accounts and gold bars that were acquired during the two-decade dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.
Duterte also said that he doesn’t mind if they stole it as long as they will return it to the government.
The government has already recovered billions of pesos worth of assets illegally collected during the Marcos regime like bank deposits, jewelry, artwork, and real estate property.
It is hard for the government to easily recover the Marcoses’ wealth due to the strict provisions of the Bank Secrecy Law, Duterte said.
Source: Philippine Star
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