PCGG, Marcoses begin negotiations over compromise deal

The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and the Marcos family have begun negotiations on the compromise deal on the alleged ill-gotten wealth of former president Ferdinand Marcos. The GMA7’s news 24 Oras reported that both parties discussed three major issues regarding the deal last Thursday. The issues include the identification of all “ill-gotten" wealth of the Marcoses both in the Philippines and abroad (covering those under the names of Marcos cronies), how much would go to the government, and what will happen to the cases filed against the Marcos family. “Anong mangyayari sa mga on going cases, madidismis ba lahat, some of them o all of them pag-uusapan yan," PCGG chairman Ricardo Abcede said. Marcos’ hidden wealth in the Philippines could reach P600 billion, Abcede said. If the compromise deal materializes, the government could a get much bigger share. During the administration of former president Fidel Ramos, a 75-25 deal in favor of the government was floated, but it he did progress when Atty. Cesar Chaves questioned the deal before the Supreme Court. Observers fear the latest compromise agreement will become controversial when Abcede announced that the Marcoses don’t need to make a public apology. Victims of human rights violations during martial law years suspect that the present deal stemmed from an agreement between the Arroyo administration and former first lady Imelda Marcos. Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos’ failure to vote during the House deliberation on the impeachment complaint against the President in September 2005 has put the present compromise deal under suspicion. Abcede said that he doesn’t care if Mrs. Marcos would not to make an apology to the Filipino people. –GMANews.TV