Ridon seeks House probe on Marcos paintings, wants Imelda to 'explain'

"The PCGG appears to be hard-pressed in recovering these paintings. The sequestration of these paintings has been going on for years. The House has to convey a sense of urgency about this," Ridon said in a phone interview. 

 

Included among the resource persons Ridon wants to invite to the hearing is former First Lady and  incumbent Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, and other members of the Marcos family.

 

"We want to give the family a chance to explain themselves," Ridon said.

 

The Sandiganbayan recently ordered the Marcos family to surrender eight paintings by European artists, which it said were illegally acquired using taxpayers' money.

 

Last week, government agents seized at least 15 paintings believed to be part of the Marcoses' ill-gotten wealth from their ancestral home in San Juan City. 

 

A Reuters report said among the artworks seized from an office and residences of former First Lady Imelda Marcos was a painting by Pablo Picasso.

 

Based on government estimates, Marcos, his family, and cronies amassed more than $10 billion in cash, jewelry, assets, stocks and works of art during the dictator's 20-year rule. About half of this amount has been recovered by the government. — ELR, GMA News