MANILA — Malacañang on Friday confirmed that President Rodrigo R. Duterte has approved the sale of the Marcos jewelry collection through public auction.
“The Palace confirms that the President acquiesced to selling the jewelry collection worth PHP700 million of Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos through public auction,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
Panelo said the President’s latest move allayed concerns on the effect of his decision due to the open support given by senator-elect Imee Marcos to his administration.
“As we have repeatedly assured the nation, the President is no respecter of friendship, political alliance, and filial relationship. The President decides on any national matter on the basis of the constitutional command to him to serve and protect the people,” he said.
Panelo, also Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, said Duterte will decide without fear or favor.
“Let it reverberate in every asphalt jungle and wilds of the archipelago, that the President, without fear or favor, will continue to govern the nation, with an iron political will, laced with compassion and devotion, to effect the desired changes that will uplift the lives of the masses of our people under a regime of peace and order,” he said.
Panelo reaffirmed the Duterte administration’s vow to strengthen the government to benefit the Filipinos.
“The Chief Executive will continue to govern the country with public welfare and national interest foremost in his mind, converting the bureaucracy of the government into an effective and efficient mechanism beneficial to the Filipino people, especially those belonging to the marginalized sectors of society,” he said.
“No force on earth can derail this President from pursuing his avowed goal of transforming our country into a new mold and scaling the heights never been reached,” he added.