Marcos family seeking return to power in the Philippines
THE Marcos family are said to be considering giving some of their wealth back to the Philippines amid rumours that Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr, son of the late dictator, has ambitions to become president.
Reports were sparked this week by a statement from Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines president and a political ally of Bongbong. “They [Marcos family] told me they’ll open everything and probably return what is uncovered,” he told reporters. “They are ready to bring it back… including a few gold bars.”
When exiled to Hawaii in 1986, Ferdinand Marcos Snr had amassed a $10billion fortune, despite earning an official salary of $13,500. His wife, Imelda, now 88, was infamous for her collection of 1,220 pairs of shoes, which became a symbol of the family’s extravagance in the face of their subjects’ extreme poverty. The family have always denied any wrongdoing.
Now they are enjoying a political comeback despite accusations of human rights violations during the Marcos regime.
Bongbong is challenging recent election results through the courts in a bid for the vice-presidency.