‘Return of Marcos loot sign of regret’

Even if not verbally expressed, the return of the Marcos loot would somehow show a semblance of “regret” from the Marcos family, former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said yesterday.

“The return of the loot of the Marcoses must be done in order to assuage the people that there is… a certain degree of regret even if it is not verbally expressed,” he said at the regular press briefing in Malacañang.

Pimentel, a victim of human rights violations during the rule of former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos, explained that President Duterte wants to put an end to the issue by also seeking the backing of Congress on any agreement with the Marcoses regarding the return of ill-gotten wealth.

“Because he cannot simply decide on it by himself… That’s why he said, ‘A law has to be enacted,’” he said. agreement on immunity, he added, would not affect the pending criminal cases on the alleged illegal acquisition of wealth by the Marcoses.

“That (immunity) will depend on the outcome of the negotiation for the return of the Marcos wealth. Because actually if you look at it…the return of hidden wealth, that will cover only the civil aspect of the cases,” he said.

“You know very well that under our law, you can settle the civil aspects, but the criminal aspect, that’s a different issue. It will depend on evidence. So, if they will return the money, and then there is a general amnesty plan for them, that can be done. It can be done,” Pimentel, a lawyer, added.

He noted that it has taken a long time for the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to identify the actual goods and estimated amount of “stolen” wealth.

Meanwhile, President Duterte has declared Sept. 11 as a special non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte. The day marks the 100th birth anniversary of Marcos.

“Whereas, the Ilocos community has been annually celebrating the birthdate of the late Ferdinand E. Marcos and commemorating his life and contributions to the national development as a World War II veteran, distinguished legAny islator and former president,” Duterte said in proclamation number 310, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Duterte added that “it is but fitting and proper that the people of the province of Ilocos Norte be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion.”