■ PALACE ASKS CONGRESS: LET DUTERTE NEGOTIATE WITH MARCOSES

Malacañang appealed Monday to Congress to approve President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to negotiate with the heirs of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. for a return of a portion of their wealth to the government. Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that President Duterte wants to “work in concert with Congress” in trying to get back part of the wealth the Marcoses allegedly amassed illegally while Ferdinand and his wife Imelda were in power. The Philippine Commission on Good Government has so far recovered an estimated $3.7 billion, less than half of the wealth the Marcoses were believed to have amassed.

Malacañang appealed Monday to Congress to approve President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to negotiate with the Marcos family for the return of a portion of their wealth, including a “few gold bars.”

Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Congress’ approval is a requisite to create “proper parameters” that would address public’s concerns.

“As the President has promised, this entire negotiation will be done professionally and transparently, with a full accounting to the people, and especially, authority from the Congress,” Abella said.

“We therefore urge the Congress to authorize the President to proceed with negotiations and set paramaters, taking into account concerns raised by critics and the citizenry,” he added.

Asked why Duterte could not use his presidential authority to conduct the negotiation, Abella said the “legislative has to come into play in this case.”

“At this stage, it (negotiation) is beyond him. I think, I believe, he has already said so that it is not just him who will do with the negotiation. He works in concert with the Congress,” the presidential spokesman said.

The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family were accused of illegally amassing wealth during his 20-year rule.

Duterte has said he was considering the creation of a threeman body to negotiate with the Marcos family.

His announcement sparked criticisims from anti-Marcos groups, who accused him of serving as Marcoses’ “spokesperson” and “negotiator.”

Abella said the government was not taking a “stand” on whether the wealth that would be returned by the Marcos family was ill-gotten.

“The President has said that he will accept however they (Marcoses) explain it. So we’re not taking a stand regarding it,” Abella told reporters. / SUNSTAR PHILIPPINES