(22 Dec 1998) Tagalog/Eng/Nat
Philippine senators have grilled the widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos on her claims that her husband owned much of the Philippines,
In a hearing broadcast on nationwide television, she dodged most of the questions, invoking privilege.
The government has put claims on about 570 (m) million U-S dollars in Swiss deposits, now held in an account in a Philippine bank.
The Swiss accounts are also being claimed by nine thousand five hundred Filipinos who won a class action suit for human rights violations against the Marcos estate and were awarded 2 (b) billion U-S dollars in damages.
Draped in pearls and gold jewellery, the sixty-nine year-old who became famous for her massive shoe collection said her husband was not a thief instead that he had amassed his fortune through gold trading.
The senate hearing was broadcast live by a cable television company, allowing many Filipinos to see for the first time Mrs. Marcos being questioned about her family's wealth.
Marcos and her lawyers are reportedly planning to sue to recover at least 500 billion pesos (12.65 (b) billion U-S dollars) in equity in more than 100 top Philippine corporations allegedly entrusted by Marcos to his associates, who now refuse to return them to Marcos' heirs.
In the hearing, Marcos said she agreed to appear in the senate to seek the lawmakers' help in recovering her husband's assets.
She suggested the late president had wanted these turned over to the government for the benefit of all Filipinos.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"But the most urgent reason I was looking forward to coming to this hearing of the Philippines Senate is to seek your help, honourable Senators, to help me implement the last will and testament of the late President Marcos, to enlist assets in the hands of trustees, to implement the Marcos Humanitarian Foundation, so that we can help the country in our economic crisis and help the Filipino people in their agony and suffering"
SUPER CAPTION: Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines
One of the country's leading newspapers early this month ran a series of articles in which Marcos was quoted as having said her family owns much of the Philippines.
Senator Aquilino Pimentel, a former southern Philippine city mayor jailed by Marcos, asked whether it was true that she had given the interview.
She denied giving interviews and refused to identify the corporations and assets or the trustees used by her husband as fronts.
Senator Pimentel said that among the names she mentioned in the interview was the name of Lucie Otan.
But Imelda Marcos remained tight lipped.
SOUNDBITE:
"Again I would like to revoke my right to remain silent"
Question: We are only interested what is the first name of this David that you mentioned?
"I think I better obey the orders of my council to invoke my right to remain silent, because of the many cases that I have in Sandigen Buyen (unclear) and elsewhere.
Question: What about Eduardo Cuanco?
The same right, your honour"
SUPER CAPTION: Imelda Marcos, former First lady of the Philippines
Marcos was ousted in a popular revolt in 1986 and died in exile in Hawaii three years later.
He had denied any wrongdoing.
The government has accused the Marcoses of illegally enriching themselves during his 20-year rule.
Marcos said she was aware of her husband's huge wealth.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Imelda Marcos, former First lady of the Philippines
Senator Aquilino Pimentel has ordered Imelda Marcos to explain by January 5th why she refused to answer questions from the lawmakers.
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