By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced that the government is actively addressing the issue of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), including creating a task force to combat them.
“Alam ko rin po na labis ang inyong pagkabahala sa mga kriminalidad at iligal na mga gawain na sumisira sa kapayapaan ng inyong pamayanan. Nais ko pong ipaalam sa inyo na amin pong tinututukan at tinutugunan ang problemang ito,” said President Marcos.
He mentioned that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has established a task force to tackle illegal POGOs, while the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is working closely with other agencies to address the issue of prohibited drugs.
The President highlighted that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is leading the campaign against illegal drugs.
“Naririnig din namin ang inyong mga daing. Nakikita namin ang inyong mga sakripisyo. Ang inyong patuloy na pagsisikap sa araw-araw ay ang inyong tulong sa pagtataguyod ng ating pinapangarap na Bagong Pilipinas,” he stated.
“Makaaasa kayo na buong puso at walang tigil kaming kikilos upang matamasa ninyo ang matamis na bunga ng inyong pagsisikap,” he added.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Stressing that only President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. can approve or authorize agreements entered into by the Philippines on matters about the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday (07 May 2024) said that there was “no document, record or deal” with China on Ayungin Shoal.
The DFA belied China’s claim that top Philippine security officials had approved an agreement to calm the hostility in Ayungin Shoal in the WPS.
“As far as the Philippine Government is concerned, no such document, record or deal exists, as purported by the Chinese Embassy,” the DFA said in a statement.
Since 1991, the BRP Sierra Madre — a World War Two rusting ship, served as a military outpost on Ayungin Shoal and has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the area.
It can be noted that during many of the resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre, China’s ships intercept and conduct dangerous moves against Philippine vessels, usually with water cannons.
Similar missions to Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag, Scarborough Shoal) Filipino resupply mission personnel have been met with the same tactics.
The DFA stressed that no “cabinet-level official” of the Marcos Jr. administration had agreed “to any Chinese proposal pertaining to the Ayungin Shoal.”
On Saturday (4 May 2024), an unnamed spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Manila claimed in a statement that Beijing and Manila, through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command, allegedly agreed on the supposed new model early this year to diffuse tensions in Ayungin Shoal.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippine government has no plans to grant the United States access to additional military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
The agreement, signed in 2014, allows the US military to utilize designated Philippine installations for various purposes.
Initially encompassing five sites, additional locations were granted access in February last year, sparking criticism from China due to their strategic locations.
Despite tensions in the South China Sea, Marcos emphasized that the additional installations would primarily serve disaster response and humanitarian operations.
The President’s remarks followed a recent summit among the United States, Japan, and the Philippines, where discussions on the South China Sea dispute took precedence.
The Philippines remains a vital ally for the US in the region, with commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty reiterated by US President Joe Biden during the summit.
Marcos affirmed that the treaty would be invoked in the event of an attack against Philippine interests.
Last year’s expansion of EDCA reflects efforts to strengthen ties amid China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.
Marcos emphasized the importance of honoring agreements between the Philippines and the US regardless of political changes, highlighting the enduring nature of their partnership.
(El Amigo(MNM)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (07 Feb 2024) assured farmers of his administration’s commitment to an “authentic” agrarian reform aimed at providing them with a better quality of life.
Marcos made this pledge during the distribution of approximately 2,529 electronic land titles (e-titles), benefiting 2,672 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Davao Region, at a ceremony held at the Rizal Memorial College Gym in Davao City.
Expressing concern over the plight of Filipino farmers, who are essential to the nation yet often the poorest, Marcos stated that his administration would adopt a “whole-of-government” approach to meet their needs.
“It is disheartening to see that the poorest in our country are our farmers. You feed us, but you struggle to feed your own families,” he said.
Marcos emphasized that providing land titles to ARBs is just the initial step towards alleviating poverty among them, and the government will exert all possible efforts to ease their burden. He also called upon the private sector to collaborate with the government in offering better incentives to farmers.
“I will continue to enhance and refine genuine agrarian reform,” Marcos asserted. “We will not accept that farming remains the most challenging livelihood. It truly is difficult. Regardless of our efforts, farming remains tough. Our farmers need assistance, all the support that the government can provide.”
The event took place amid the implementation of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, which aims to enhance land tenure security and reinforce property rights for ARBs.
Launched as a foreign-assisted initiative in 2020, the SPLIT Project encompasses approximately 1.6 million hectares of land, benefiting around 1.5 million ARBs nationwide, according to a statement posted on the DAR’s official website.
To date, the DAR has issued and distributed approximately 91,775 e-titles covering 109,199 hectares of land, benefiting 98,203 ARBs.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Piqued that he is hooked to an “addictive” Fentanyl, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has dared President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that they both undergo a drug test in public at the same time at the Rizal Park, popularly known as the Luneta.
“Set it in Luneta Park, magpakuha siya ng dugo doon [from] independent entity or doctor. Magpakuha rin ako, sige pati ako. Pakuha siya ng blood test,” Duterte said in a press conference in Davao City on Tuesday (30 January 2024).
The feisty ex-president also alleged that a Cabinet official who he did not identify also used cocaine with Marcos Jr. and insisted that Marcos was on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
However, PDEA on Monday (29 January 2024) belied FPRRD’s accusation.
“The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency categorically states that President Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr is not on its watch list, contrary to the statement of former President Rodrigo Duterte, claiming that ‘when he was the Mayor of Davao, he was shown evidence by PDEA that in the list, the name of the president was there,” the agency said in a statement.
It added that Marcos Jr. was never in the agency’s National Drug Information System (NDIS) since PDEA’s “activation” in 2002.
“I think it’s the fentanyl,” Marcos Jr. told reporters shortly before leaving for Vietnam last Monday when asked to comment on Duterte’s claims that the incumbent Chief Executive is a drug addict.
PBBM said Duterte “has been taking the drug for a very long time now…after five, six years, it has to affect him.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The bickering between loyalists of President Ferdinand Bongbong R Marcos Jr and diehard Duterte supporters (DDS) has created a negative impact on the country’s economy political pundits claim.
They said the country suffered a blow as the full-year 2023 growth was only 5.6 percent, markedly down from the 7.6 percent growth in 2022 and below the government’s target range of 6.0 to 7.0 percent.
But Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan noted that while growth is lower than the target, the Philippines still maintains a strong position as one of the top-performing economies in Asia.
On Wednesday (31 January 2024), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also reported that the although the Philippine economy expanded but it was at a slower pace by 5.6 percent in the fourth quarter of last year,
The PSA said this was down from the previous quarter of 6.0 percent and 7.1 percent in the same quarter of the previous year.
Maharlika NuMedia gathered that in the fourth quarter 2023 real gross domestic product (GDP) growth figures, the Philippines trailed behind Vietnam (6.7 percent) but outperformed China (5.2 percent) and Malaysia (3.4 percent)
Political pundits expressed belief that the “Marcos-Duterte war” may have caused the economic slowdown.
A topnotch Customs broker in Cebu earlier told Maharlika NuMedia that importers were hesitant to pour their investments into the country because of what they perceived as political instability.
The high duties and taxes also discouraged the importers, revealed the Customs broker who requested anonymity.
(El Amigo/MNM)
By Ismael Amigo, Sr.
Here’s our bet: Methinks there is a big possibility that PBBM’s administration would allow the entry of the ICC to investigate the so-called ‘bloody drug war” of the previous administration of FPRRD.
This is the “NEXT PICTURE” that many movie houses use to announce at the entrance while you are enjoying the week’s blockbuster, which is nothing less than the temporary freedom of incarcerated former lady senator Leila de Lima after almost seven (7) long years.
Incumbent Senator and former PNP chief Bato dela Rosa was correct down to the letter when he said that “ganun talaga wala na kasi si PRRD kaya humina ang kaso.”
Dela Rosa was the head of the country’s police force when then-president Rpdrigo Roa Duterte slammed D5 into the slammer way back in 2017 based on what she calls “trumped-up drug charges.”
A lawyer and former CHR chairperson, De Lima was slapped with three drug charges filed against her in 2017 based on allegations that she was involved in the illegal drug trade in the national penitentiary.
She was acquitted in her first charge in February 2021 and her second charge in May this year.
Department of Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla himself, in an interview with the Philippine Star, offered that “chances are she (De Lima) will be acquitted.”
Why?
Take it away chief:
“Chances are she will be acquitted. There’s a huge chance. Bail is not granted just like that. We trust the judge on this matter,” Remulla said in a separate interview with CNN Philippines.
Remulla also stressed that De Lima’s last drug case, in which she allegedly conspired to commit illegal drug trading using New Bilibid Prison inmates, is non-bailable in fact.
But “when it becomes bailable, it (only) shows the kind of evidence that the prosecution was able to establish in the eyes of the judge. This case cannot be granted bail if the evidence is strong. Vice versa, if the evidence is weak, bail can be granted,” Boying explains.
Judge Gener Gito of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 206 allowed De Lima to post a P300,000 bail, pointing to the prosecution’s lack of substantial evidence to sufficiently establish her guilt.
As this is happening under the present admin of PBBM, it is safe to say that there is something bigger coming to happen.
And with Remulla himself announcing the possible acquittal of the feisty former lady lawmaker, methinks this “softening” could lead to “eventual hardening” of the DOJ’s resolve to finally allow the ICC to step into the country and investigate the thousands of drug-related, “nanlaban” killings charges vs FPRRD.
And its heavy steps, while in the country doing its investigation, could smash and bury for good the political dreams of the DUTERTES including that of VP Sara’s as she is accordingly implicated in the ICC case.
With it, we need not mention here who will benefit the most from that scenario.
But your guess is as good as mine.
This could be no more than the top man of the country’s House of Reps who is maintaining a moist eye for president in the 2028 national elections, although methinks he will first throw in his hat in the 2025 midterm elections for senator and once elected, level-up via that mid-term perks for senators seeking a higher office.
They simply slide back as a senator if he or she won’t win a higher office as president or vice president.
Moving on, that ICC entry would also hammer in the last nail to UniTeam’s coffin, and I’m very sure FPRRD would once again tell daughter VP Sara the sad refrain of: “I told you so.”
After all, we never heard of FPRRD supporting PBBM politically or otherwise before and after the 2022 national elections.
Instead, FPRRD openly accused PBBM as a “weakling,” not qualified to lead the country. Simple words but daggerlike. And what we know is the Marcoses never instantly react. They prefer to operate quietly, tersely, slowly but surely.
Hint: PBBM never lifted a finger to protect VPSDu while the latter was on the griller re her fave but now infamous “confidential funds.”
Abangan natin mga tao!
(Email ismaelamigo@yahoo.com)
House Speaker Martin Romualdez is the keynote speaker of the very first edition of the “The Defense Forum” organized by the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association, Inc. at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Front and center of the House Speaker’s speech is “strengthening legislative measures in support of national security.”
The House of Representatives is fully behind President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s policy to secure and protect the West Philippine Sea as Chinese ships continue to harass Filipino sailors.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday evening assured Congress’ clear-cut commitment to supporting the President Marcos’ foreign policy during “The Defense Forum” organized by the National Defense College of the Philippines Alumni Association at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Romualdez made the remarks following reports that China Coast Guard ships fired water cannons at Filipino resupply boats in Ayungin Shoal.
The House Speaker not only condemned China’s intrusions in Philippine waters, but also affirmed congressional support to increase budget allocation for the defense sector under the 2024 national budget.
“Make no mistake about it. The House of Representatives fully supports the position of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. that we should continue to assert our sovereignty in the West Philippine Seas and that we should defend every inch of our territory,” Romualdez said.
“We have embarked on a strategic journey, not only to modernize our military assets but also to ensure that our personnel are equipped with the fortitude of skill and the assurance of a nation’s unwavering support,” he added.
Romualdez hailed the “brave men and women in uniform” whom he considered as “sentinels of sovereignty, safeguarding our nation’s territory against the ceaseless tides of adversity.”
“Under the proposed 2024 budget, the allocation for the defense sector is P282.7 billion or 21.6 percent more compared to the PHP203.4 billion allocation under the 2023 budget. This fund will support the “Land, Air, and Naval Forces Defense Programs” totaling PHP188.5 billion, as well as the UN Peacekeeping Mission, among others, to ensure domestic security,” Romualdez said.
“This amount does not include P1.23 billion worth of confidential and intelligence funds, which the House of Representatives realigned to the front-line agencies in charge of ensuring national security and protecting the country’s territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea,” he added.
This strategic reallocation includes P300 million to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, P100 million to the National Security Council (NSC), P200 million to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for intelligence activities and ammunition, and P381.3 million to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the development or expansion of Pag-Asa Island Airport.
Photo from Daily Tribune
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — New Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. denied allegations that he was appointed to the position as “payback” of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to the fishing tycoon’s donation during PBBM’s presidential campaign in 2022.
According to a report from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Laurel was one of the top donors during the campaign.
According to reports, the fishing tycoon allegedly contributed at least P30 million during the campaign last year for PBBM.
“There is no payback. As I said, sacrifice na rin ito, it’s for the country talaga. ‘Yun lang masasabi ko,” Laurel said.
Meanwhile, the DA chief also clarified that there will be no conflict of interest since he already divested from his fishing companies.
“Basically nag-divest na ako. I have no more interests in all the companies I used to own,” he said.
“DA is a full-time job. I have no time to do anything else. Malaki itong departamento, complicated ng konti, there are 28 bureaus and GOCCs. Wala akong time to think of other things,” Laurel added.
Earlier, Marcos announced the appointment of Laurel as the new DA chief and was lauded by legislators, saying that his appointment was “timely.”
Marcos has been the DA Secretary since he assumed the presidency.
(ai/mnm)
Photo courtesy of President Bongbong Marcos
In a cordial meeting that took place on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 20, 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. engaged in discussions with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with the shared goal of addressing the current labor disputes between the Philippines and Kuwait.
Following this encounter, President Marcos expressed that the Kuwaiti Crown Prince expressed his displeasure with the current state of relations between the two nations during a subsequent media interview in Riyadh. The Crown Prince made it clear that he believed the Philippines did not need to issue an apology, and he, in fact, extended his own apology to President Marcos, highlighting his opposition to Kuwait’s actions.
President Marcos shared the Crown Prince’s words: “Do not listen to them. I do not agree with what they have been doing. There is no reason for you to apologize to us. We will fix it because we love the Philippines. I remember your father; he always supported Kuwait. He always supported us, and we know that you will also always support us. That’s why we will fix this.”
It’s noteworthy that the initiative for this meeting came from the Crown Prince himself. President Marcos expressed optimism that the two nations could work together to resolve the ongoing labor issues. He considered his trip to Saudi Arabia a success, attributing it to the progress made in resolving the disagreement between the Philippines and Kuwait.
The background to this issue is Kuwait’s suspension of entry and work visa issuance to Filipinos due to the Philippines’ alleged non-compliance with the 2018 bilateral labor agreement. In response, the Philippine government imposed a temporary ban on deploying first-time household service workers to Kuwait, following the tragic murder of Jullebee Ranara, whose burnt body was discovered in the desert in January. A previous deployment ban had been implemented in 2018 after the murder of household worker Joan Demafelis.
As of 2022, the estimated Filipino population in Kuwait stands at 279,000, and the remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait amounted to USD 579,186 in 2022 and USD 576,059 in 2021. (AI/MNM)
RIYADH TRIP. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his departure speech at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday (Oct. 19, 2023) as he embarks on a trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to participate in the inaugural Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit on Oct. 19-21, 2023. Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the President and his delegation, on board a chartered flight, arrived at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at around 12:56 p.m. (PNA photo by Rolando Mailo)
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday to participate in the 1st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, according to an announcement from Malacañang.
Marcos and the official Philippine delegation, aboard PR001, touched down at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport around 12:56 p.m., as confirmed by Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil.
Upon arrival, the President’s agenda included a roundtable meeting with prominent Saudi business leaders, as noted by Garafil.
Marcos is slated to partake in the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit on Friday, during which he will engage in discussions regarding the imperative to address significant geopolitical developments. He will underscore the significance of bolstering security, economic advancement, and socio-cultural cooperation between ASEAN and the GCC.
In a pre-departure statement given at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on the same day, Marcos underscored the significance of the ASEAN-GCC Summit as a pivotal platform for the Philippines to advocate for collaboration in the domains of energy, food security, and trade. Additionally, he expressed his commitment to safeguarding the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, are home to approximately 2.2 million Filipinos employed in critical sectors.
Marcos also pledged to support a rules-based international order aimed at preserving peace, security, and stability in both regions. His itinerary also includes meetings with the Filipino community in Riyadh and bilateral discussions with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the Philippines were established on October 24, 1969. The Philippines established a mission in Jeddah in December 1973, while the Saudi government opened an embassy in Manila a year later.
Despite a declining trend since 2016, the kingdom remains the third-largest source of remittances from OFWs. In 2020, remittances totaled approximately USD 1.8 billion, representing a 14 percent decrease compared to the USD 2.1 billion received in 2019. A majority of these remittances came from land-based OFWs.
(ai/mnm)
The Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women and its provincial chapters, with support from Gabriela, organized a protest march from Morayta to Mendiola in Manila on Sunday, October 15, 2023. Their primary demand was for the Marcos Administration to address the rising prices of rice.
The group leaders emphasized that rice liberalization and government importation had been the primary contributors to the agricultural crisis in the country.
Photographs captured the demonstrators as they made their way from Morayta to Mendiola in Manila, carrying large banners to mark this year’s International Rural Women’s Day.
(Report and photos by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
On July 20, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will personally hand out cash incentives to over 500 national athletes at the Malacañang Palace.
This gesture acknowledges their exceptional achievements at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) and 12th ASEAN Para Games (APG) recently held in Cambodia.
“We appreciate President Marcos’ decision to personally reward Team Philippines, which demonstrates his admiration for our national athletes and their unwavering passion and commitment to representing our country,” said Richard Bachmann, Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
As stipulated in Republic Act 10699, or the Expanded National Athletes and Coaches Incentives and Benefits Act, the PSC will allocate approximately P60 million for the SEAG medalists and P14 million for the APG medalists in cash bonuses.
According to the law, SEA Games gold medalists will receive P300,000, silver medalists will receive P150,000, and bronze medalists will receive P60,000.
(ai/mnm)
MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has thrown out a case alleging the acquisition of ill-gotten wealth by former president Ferdinand E. Marcos, former first lady Imelda Marcos, and several other individuals due to insufficient evidence.
According to the court’s second division, the prosecution failed to present convincing evidence to support the charges that the properties and assets in question were unlawfully obtained.
The case was initially filed in 1987 by the Presidential Commission on Good Government.
The co-respondents in Civil Case 0014 alongside the Marcoses were Modesto Enriquez, Trinidad Diaz-Enriquez, Rebecco Panlilio, Erlinda Enriquez-Panlilio, Leandro Enriquez, Don Ferry, Roman Cruz Jr., and Gregorio Castillo.
Former President Marcos passed away in 1989.
In its ruling, the court stated that “the evidence provided by the plaintiff did not sufficiently establish, by preponderance of evidence, a valid cause of action against the defendants.”
The properties in question include Fantasia Filipina Resorts Inc., Hotel Properties Inc., Monte Sol Development Corp., Ocean Villas Condominium Corp., Olas del Mar Development Corp., Philippine Village Hotel, Philroad Construction Corp., Puerto Azul Beach and Country Club Inc., Silahis International Hotel, Sulo-Dobbs Food Services Inc., and Ternate Development Corp.
“In particular, the plaintiff failed to prove that the subject properties were ‘ill-gotten,’ namely, (1) that the properties and assets listed in Annex ‘A’ of the Amended Complaint originated from the government, and (2) that they were acquired by the individual defendants through illegal means or by exploiting their close relationship with Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos,” the court explained.
Furthermore, during the trial, the defendants maintained that “they obtained ownership of the subject corporations through legal means and not as cronies or proxies of the Marcoses.”
“It is important to emphasize that the defendants’ assertions remained unchallenged by the plaintiff throughout the trial,” the court noted. “Considering the lack of substantial evidence supporting the conclusion that the subject properties were indeed ill-gotten wealth, the Court cannot simply order their return to the national treasury.” (ai/mtvn)
Former President Ferdinand Marcos (Bloomberg photo courtesy)
MANILA — The Sandiganbayan’s Second Division has rejected a civil case filed against the late President Ferdinand Marcos and several other individuals.
In a 45-page decision issued on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the court ruled on Civil Case 0014.
Following the passing of the former president in 1989, he was substituted by his heirs. Defendants Leandro Enriquez and Erlinda Enriquez Panlilio substituted spouses Modesto Enriquez and Trinidad Diaz-Enriquez, while Rebecca Panlilio was substituted by her spouse and heirs. Similarly, Roman Cruz Jr. was substituted by his heirs.
The case alleged that Modesto Enriquez, Trinidad Diaz-Enriquez, Rebecca Panlilio, Erlinda Enriquez-Panlilio, Leandro Enriquez, Roman Cruz Jr., and Don Ferry, who was also a defendant, were close business associates of the late President Marcos and Imelda Marcos. It was claimed that they took advantage of their close relationship with Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, acting as their proxies, nominees, or agents to unlawfully appropriate commercial interests, control several corporations, and acquire properties, specifically those listed in Annex ‘A’ of the Amended Complaint.
However, the court found that the plaintiff “failed to provide evidence establishing that the subject properties were ‘ill-gotten,’ namely: (1) that the subject properties and assets listed in Annex ‘A’ of the Amended Complaint originated from the government, and (2) that they were acquired by the individual defendants through illegal means or by exploiting their close relationship with Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.”
During the trial, the individual defendants strongly asserted that they legitimately obtained ownership of the subject corporations and were not mere cronies or proxies of the Marcoses. The plaintiff failed to rebut these claims throughout the trial.
Consequently, the court concluded, “In the absence of sufficient evidence indicating that the subject properties were indeed ill-gotten wealth, the Court cannot simply order their return to the national treasury.”
(ai/mtvn)