Palace stands by efforts to recover ill-gotten wealth

MALACAÑANG ON Wednesday said the Philippine Commission on Good Government (PCGG) will continue to “recover any ill-gotten wealth.”

Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. made this statement in response to Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda Josefa Imee R. Marcos’s call last Tuesday, Ninoy Aquino Day, for critics of her family to “move on” because the “millennials have already moved on.”

“We understand that Governor Imee Marcos is addressing the critics of her family. As far as we are concerned, the Duterte administration is willing to work with all groups for the benefit of the people. The President has opened the doors of his government to everyone, regardless of affiliation and ideology, in order to unite the country and bring us greater progress,” Mr. Roque said.

He added: “Meanwhile, efforts to recover any ill-gotten wealth continue through the Philippine Commission on Good Government (PCGG). Likewise, human rights (abuse) victims were given compensation through the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB). The government will continue to find ways and means to effect closure for all victims of abuses that occurred during that period of martial law.”

For his part, Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino

IV said in a statement: “Sinaktan ka na’t ninakawan, sasabihan ka pang mag-move on.” (They hurt and stole from you, and they tell you to move on).

He added: “Hindi ba sa mga nawasak na relasyon,

ang kadalasang nagsasabing mag-move on ay ang

nanakit?” (Is it not that in every broken relationship, most of the time the person who tells you to move on is the one who actually hurt you?).

“Klaro naman sa kasaysayan kung sino ang nagnakaw, nag-torture at pumatay. Napakadaling sabihing mag move on na lang, pero sa mga nasawi, napakahirap nito.” (It is clear in our history who stole, tortured, and killed. It is easy for one to say move on, but for the victims, it’s very difficult). —