Another Duterte joke?
President Duterte said there is no proof that Marcos stole billions from the people (“‘Yellows failed to prove Marcos stole from people,’” 2/28/19).
Either Digong was again joking or dissembling, because William Saunders was the name Marcos used in opening his secret Swiss bank account in the ’60s (Imelda used Jane Ryan). The kakistocratic couple made us familiar with the term “kleptocracy.”
On July 15, 2003, a unanimous Supreme Court ordered their Swiss deposits, as ill-gotten wealth, “in the estimated aggregate amount of US$658,175,373.60 as of January 7, 2002, plus interest, forfeited in favor of petitioner Republic of the Philippines” (Republic vs Sandiganbayan, 406 SCRA 190, 274-75).
Illustrative, not exhaustive.
The justices were not all “Yellows,” if at all. Polka-dot, more like. The ponente was Justice Rene Corona, joined by Justices Hilario Davide (chief justice), Josue Bellosillo, Artemio Panganiban, Consuelo Ynares Santiago, Alicia Austria Martinez, Conchita Carpio Morales, Romeo Callejo Sr., Adolfo Azcuna and Dante Tinga. Reynato Puno and Jose Vitug concurred in the result. Tony Carpio abstained, having acted as chair of a committee that oversaw the transfer of these funds to the Philippines.
Many praised the 2003 decision, but I have always wondered why the high court did not order the prosecution of the “ill-gotteners,” done in the case of lesser lights, stealing relative loose change.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
R. A. V. SAGUISAG, Palanan, Makati City
