The Duterte administration will oppose any attempt of the Marcos family to block the looming public auction of the multi-million-peso jewelry collections, Malacañang said on Monday but hinted at a possibility that they could participate in the auction.
Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace would object once the Marcoses would try to impede the public auction of the three jewelry collections of Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos.
“If they do, then we will oppose it because that’s the right [thing] to do,” Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.
“We feel that, as the President [feels], the proceeds have to go to the Filipino people who are in urgent need of government aid,” he added, noting that Duterte already gave his nod to sell all three sets of jewelry to benefit the needy public.
“As far as we’re concerned, these properties have been declared to be ill-gotten, that’s why precisely it is to be sold. If that was the court decision then we will abide by it,” he said.
Asked if the Marcoses would be banned from participating in the public bidding, the Palace official said: “Only the court can stop the sale. If it’s an auction, then everybody is free to bid.”
According to Panelo, there are no known prohibitions barring certain people from partaking in a public auction.
“I don’t think so [they can be banned from the auction]. I do not know any laws prohibiting any person from bidding if you’re qualified,” he said. Nat Mariano
“Unless there’s a requirement for a qualification that the auctioneer will set. If there are, then you have to pass through the qualification,” he added.
Meanwhile, Panelo said he would ask the President’s opinion on the earlier proposal of the Presidential Commission on Good Government to display the perceived excesses of the Marcos regime in an exhibit.