Duterte: Marcoses willing to return ill-gotten wealth

The Marcos family is willing to return some ill-gotten wealth to the government, President revealed this as he bared plans to abolish the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).

The PCGG is an agency tasked to recover the stolen wealth of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and his cronies.

Duterte said he was willing to accept the explanation of the Marcoses on the matter regardless if it was true or not.

In lieu of the PCGG, Duterte said he will instead create a new office to probe corruption in government.

“I shall be creating the Anti-Graft Commission to investigate complaints of corruption in government. Aside from the results of the investigation supported by competent evidence, I shall either suspend or dismiss presidential appointees,” the President said during the oath-taking of new government officials in Malacañang.

The President said he wanted to appoint a certain judge to lead the new anti-graft body but acknowledged the person might turn him down.

He said he may designate three persons to lead the new anti-graft office, including a “lady not identified with me nor identified with the other group.”

Back in 2001, then President Gloria Arroyo previously created the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission that investigated corruption complaints against officials in the executive branch. The body also conducted lifestyle checks to ensure officials are living within their means.

PAGC, however, was absolved by President Aquino in 2010 for its overlapping functions with other agencies. Its investigative powers were transferred to the Office of the Deputy Secretary for Legal Affairs.