Sale Of Marcoses’ Gems Considered For Coronavirus Funds
SALE – Malacañang Palace said it was considering selling some of Marcoses’ gems to help raise funds for coronavirus response.
Previously, Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced that they have allocated P275 billion worth of public funds to provide aid for the fisherfolk, farmers and other low-income households amid the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Everyone is at high risk and affected by the crisis that’s why the middle-class people were also asking for cash assistance from the government.
The 75-year-old-chief executive recently said that he considers extending help to the middle class. “The point raised by Governor Remulla of Cavite, I think, is valid. We’ll try to remedy it with whatever we find down the road,” he said.
The Philippine government has disclosed a huge amount of money to soften the impact of the coronavirus crisis but no one knows when this will end so they have to be prepared. President Rodrigo Duterte said he would sell the properties of the government if their funds were still not enough.
Based on a report from Cebu Daily News, the Malacañang Palace said on Thursday, April 16, that they would consider selling Imelda Marcos’ jewels and use the money as COVID-19 funds.
According to the report, the “Hawaii Collection” seized from the former first lady is worth P700 million. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the plan of auctioning the jewels was already raised before the pandemic.
In May 2019, Duterte allowed the public auction of Marcoses’ collection of gems. The spokesperson said this gesture only proved that Duterte was giving “primary importance to the health of the people.”
“The people’s health is important to him, so if he needs to sell those infrastructure, he will use the proceeds to take care of the people’s health,” said Roque.
Based on the report, the so-called “Hawaii Collection” has an estimated value of P704.8 million and it is currently kept at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
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