Philippine authorities pledged on Monday to auction off as soon as possible millions of dollars’ worth of jewellery recovered from late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family.
The Presidential Commission on Good Government, created to recover the millions stolen by Marcos and his allies, has also launched a website aimed at retrieving hundreds of art masterpieces believed to have been obtained by the Marcos family with “ill-gotten wealth,” said commissioner Andrew de Castro.
The renewed effort comes as Ferdinand Marcos’s son and namesake takes the lead in the race to win election in May as the country’s next vice-president.
Mr de Castro said authorities hope to auction most of the jewels before President Benigno Aquino steps down in June and a new President and vice-president take over.
“Regardless of who is in power after June 2016, it is our duty to dispose of the jewellery as soon as possible,” he said.
The long-hidden collection, seized in three batches after Marcos was overthrown in a popular revolt in 1986, has been cited by critics as proof of how his family enriched itself while the nation sank deeper into poverty during his 20 years in power.
Former First Lady Imelda Marcos amassed a huge collection of jewels, valuable art and shoes even as other Marcos relatives and allies gained fortunes, critics have said.
Mr de Castro said appraisals by auction houses put the value of the seized jewellery at more than $21 million.
