President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday that legislation may be needed to grant possible immunity to the Marcoses if they bring back the wealth they allegedly amassed during the 2-decade rule of their patriarch, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
“The Marcoses, would not agree to return the money if they would be jailed,” Duterte told reporters in a chance interview. “I’ll return it but don’t jail me.”
READ: Duterte: Marcos family said plan to return part of wealth ‘might help’ spending crunch
He was speaking hypothetically, however, and clarified that the Marcoses had not yet sought any form of immunity. Duterte said he is taking a “neutral stand” on the issue.
The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), formed during the presidency of the late Corazon Aquino, is tasked to go after the estimated USD10 billion ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies.
It has already recovered PHP170 billion or about $3.4 billion in ill-gotten wealth as well as jewelry, art and other assets from the Marcoses.
The Duterte administration is planning to abolish the PCGG and is eyeing the creation of a new anti-graft agency in its place.
