ILOCOS Norte Gov. Imee Marcos said Thursday there were no negotiations yet between the government and the Marcos family on the possible return of the Marcos’ so-called stolen wealth.
But she expressed hope the Duterte administration would be able to put an end to the controversy.
“Wala pa [negotiations], wala pa. Tiwala kami sa President (Duterte) na s’ya ang makakapagtapos ng deka-dekadang kaso at ‘yung pamilya nag-uusap pa pero nasa kamay ng mga abogado,” Marcos, sister of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., told reporters at the House of Representatives.
She attended a congressional probe into the alleged irregularities on the purchase of motor vehicles worth P66.5 million by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte using the province’s excise tax collection.
Marcos said their lawyers were now discussing the details on the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte about the possibility of returning the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.
“Pag-uusapan na lang ng mga abogado,” Marcos said.
Duterte earlier said a spokesman for the Marcoses had told him that the family was willing to “open everything” and to return the wealth supposedly accumulated during the 20-year rule of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Duterte also admitted that he would have wanted to abolish the PCGG but decided not to do so as it would create speculation.
Marcos, meanwhile, said she did not have any knowledge on Rep. Lito Atienza’s revelation that former First Lady and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos had once told him of the Marcoses’ intention to return to the government some 7,000 tons of gold bars.
“Hindi ko alam, I think it is best that the lawyers respond to all these queries. Thank you,” Marcos said.