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Members ask Marcos loyalist organization: Where's our ‘biyaya’?



 
Marcos loyalists Ligaya Antonio and Emilia Abeleda have asked authorities to look into the activities of Firm 24K, a group that has promised members shares of the Marcos family's wealth.
 
According to a report on GMA's “24 Oras” on Friday, both Antonio and Abeleda have been members of the Firm 24K for over 15 years.
 
The Firm 24K association is a group that gathers supporters of the late President Ferdinand Marcos' family.
 
The group sells the following items to their members in exchange for 'points':
 
 
  • Clearbook – P75
  • Xerox copies/per clip – P1/P15
  • CD – P50 to P100
  • Pictures of the Marcos family – P25
  • Seedlings for tree planting activity – P25
  • Tree Guard – P250 to P375
 
According to Securities and Exchange Commission - Corporate Governance and Finance Department Director Justina Callangan, the group is registered with them.
 
But Callangan said the Luneta branch where Antonio and Abeleda are membershas already had its license revoked.
 
“I don't think the association should be requiring the members to buy. At nabalitaan ko pa with the promise na magbibigay si Imelda [Marcos] ng reward? Walang nakalagay dito,” Callangan said.
 
She also clarified that organizations cannot force their members to buy the items they sell.
 
“Bago ka mag solicit ng investments kasi mayroon kang secondary license. Yun ang tinatawag naming permit to sell securities,” she added.
 
Meanwhile, the camp of former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos said they had no idea about the activities of Firm 24K.
 
Firm 24K president Artemio Lachica, on the other hand, said members have to contribute first to get the promised amount.
 
“They have to give their share. Alanganaman ibigay mo ng libre yan. Paano mabigyan ng biyaya ay hindi pa naman nabibigay 'yung pinaglalaban,” Lachica said.
 
The SEC is already investigating the incident. — Andrei Medina/JDS, GMA News
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