Duterte: If I were the Marcoses, I would ask for immunity

If he were the Marcoses, President Duterte said he would seek immunity from lawsuit in exchange for the return of the questionable wealth to the government.

The President, however, quickly clarified he cannot guarantee immunity for the Marcoses and

would leave the matter for Congress to decide.

Duterte said Congress must still craft a law covering the parameters of the return of the Marcos wealth, including whether or not to include immunity from criminal liability.

“If I were the Marcoses, kung isauli ko lang naman ‘yan, sabihin ko sa kanila maghingi kayo ng immunity (If I return the wealth, I’ll tell them to ask for immunity). Otherwise, keep the god **** money at baka makulong ka pa. Sinauli mo na, makulong ka (you might be imprisoned. You already returned the wealth and yet you still end up in jail),” the President said in a media interview during the 55th anniversary celebration of Metrobank in Taguig City Tuesday.

“Kung kulungin mo ako, kung ako si Marcos, bakit ko isauli? [If you put me in jail, if I were the Marcoses, why would I return it?) I’d rather reserve it for my children and grandchildren,” Duterte added.

Duterte had originally said he would accept the Marcos offer and planned to appoint a retired Supreme Court justice to negotiate with the family on the government’s behalf.

Opposition But his suggestion was fiercely opposed by victims of the Marcos regime. They say the family has never admitted guilt for widespread rights abuses and corruption during the dictatorship.

No member of the Marcos family went to prison despite the government recovery of part of the family fortune through litigation and out-of-court settlements.

Vice President Leni Robredo rejected the idea of granting immunity to the Marcoses. “Before immunity is discussed, there should be confession of sins first. It is hard to forgive a person who does not admit his sins,” Robredo said when asked to comment. The Vice President pointed out that the sentiments of the Filipino people must be considered because they have fought long enough for the return of the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.

Former human rights commissioner Loretta Ann Rosales said the Marcoses should return the money without any immunity deal as this would be unlawful and unfair.

No immunity talks

But so far, the President said immunity was not part of his recent discussion with the Marcoses.

“They did not ask any immunity. I cannot guarantee it also. I know I’m not the proper authority to do that,” he said.

He admitted though it is unlikely that the Marcoses would agree to return the wealth and then go to jail. Duterte earlier confirmed discussing the wealth settlement with Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos.

“Itong mga Marcos hindi papayag na isasauli nila tapos kulong mo sila. I said you have to craft a law on that and that’s immunity,” he said.

Asked if he would agree to waive the criminality liability of the Marcoses, Duterte said he would take a “neutral” stance on the matter.

“Bigyan mo ng immunity, fine. Hindi mo bigyan ng immunity, fine pero walang pera na isauli yan (Give them immunity, fine. Don’t give them immunity, fine but they will not return the money) then you have to look to the ends of the earth to get them,” he said.

“Sabihin lang ni Marcos, ‘No deal.’ We shut up. Sige hanapin ninyo kung mahanap ninyo (then find the money if you can),” he said.

“I cannot act independently of the other branches of government,” he said, citing pending cases on the Marcos wealth before the courts as well as the need for congressional consent.

He said it would take a “long process” on crafting the law on the arrangement of the return the Marcos wealth. “We have to look into the bank accounts and everything and I said a law should provide,” he said.

The President would not counsel the Marcoses on what to do, adding they better listen to their lawyer.

“I’m just a friend because i know them from way, way back,” he said, reminiscing the days when he and former Sen. Bongbong Marcos used to ride a bike and tour the country when he was young.

“That is why he is my friend but it ends there. And it does not creep into any other fields of endeavors that they may have taken during the Presidency of his father,” he added.

Legal remedy Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza is supporting a proposed compromise agreement that the President and the Marcos family might reach in order to end the long-drawn court battle and allow government to recover the horde of illegally acquired wealth, including 7,000 tons of gold.

“I believe we should grab the opportunity because the President no less took interest on it and there is an admission now that they are willing to settle,” said Atienza.

“Rather than put road blocks, let’s try to look for ways to do it. I will support any congressional action on this and I will ask the First Lady to confirm because nobody believes it,” Atienza added.

Asst. Minority Leaders and Reps. Harry Roque (Kabayan Party-list) and Alfredo Garbin (Ako Bicol) said Congress must address constitutional issues that might be raised against Duterte’s proposed grant of amnesty before passing any legislation to support it.

“The constitutional basis for objecting to that law is equal protection of the law because that would be a class legislation that will benefit only the Marcoses,” explained Roque.

However, Roque pointed out that this can be cured if the grant of amnesty will be offered to everyone who will admit to the crime of graft and corruption and return the stolen wealth to government.

Golden Buddha

In Baguio City, the heirs of Rogelio Roxas, the treasure hunter who found the Golden Buddha but was allegedly stolen by the Marcoses are asking the government for a share of what the Marcoses would return to the government.

Henry Roxas, son of Rogelio said they are no longer interested in getting back the golden buddha, but wants the government to recognize their right to the value of the gold bars which were reportedly taken from their father by the former President.

The controversial golden buddha was dug and found by Rogelio Roxas and his companions in 1971 where the Baguio General Hospital now stands. It was believed to be part of the Yamashita treasure which was left by the Japanese after World War II.

Roxas said the three-feet tall Buddha weighing 1,000 kilograms came with various gold bars. (With reports from AFP, Chito Chavez, Raymund F. Antonio, Ben R. Rosario, and Zaldy Comanda)