PCGG, DOJ, OSG unanimous vs. deal on seized Marcos artworks

FILE: Aug. 31, 2016: #MarcosNoHero Protest at SC (Photo: Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – BAYAN/Facebook)

MANILA — State lawyers said the decision to disallow a settlement agreement before a New York court between the family of the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos and human rights victims during martial law came about after three Philippine government agencies agreed that its terms would not be in the best interest of the republic.

In a statement Wednesday, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) confirmed that it had reviewed the terms of the settlement before the New York District Court and “found (it) to be grossly disadvantageous to the government and not in accord with existing Philippine laws and jurisprudence”.

The approval of the OSG and the Department of Justice (DOJ) had been a precondition set by the Office of the Executive Secretary in a memorandum on Jan. 8, 2019, before the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) will be granted authority to settle the case before a New York court involving USD20 million in Marcos seized assets from the proceeds of the sale of paintings from Vilma Bautista, an aide of former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos.

The OSG formally conveyed its disapproval on Jan. 23, 2019 and awaited the position of the DOJ concerning the matter.

“The three agencies unanimously agreed that, in the best interest of the republic, it will no longer enter into the settlement agreement. PCGG was tasked to inform the New York District Court of the matter through a letter dated March 16, 2019,” the OSG said.

In the draft agreement, the government was set to receive USD4 million while the victims in the class action would get USD13.75 million.

Even as a third party, the Golden Buddha Corp. and the estate of Roger Roxas would also get a portion of the proceeds from the sale of some of the paintings.