Lagman fact-checks Duterte: Bongbong, Imee ‘old enough’ during martial law

President Rodrigo Duterte cannot absolve Ilocos Sur Governor Imelda "Imee" Marcos and former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. as "sinless" just because they were "young" during their father's regime, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said Saturday.

Lagman said in a statement that the Marcos siblings have had their share of their father's ill-gotten wealth.

He added that Imee and Bongbong were already adults during the martial law proclaimed by late President Ferdinand Marcos.

Lagman took particular note of the ages of Imee and Bongbong during their father's regime.

"Imee and Bongbong celebrated their 18th birthdays in 1973 and 1975, respectively, and they were old enough when the documented atrocities and plunder were committed by the 'conjugal dictatorship' of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos," said Lagman.

Imee was born on Nov. 12, 1955 while Bongbong was born on Sept. 13, 1957.

Last Tuesday, Duterte said Imee and Bongbong should not be blamed for the sins of their father on the grounds of their young age.

"Ngayon, sabihin mo na, 'You prosecute, you punish.' At that time, si Bongbong Marcos, binata pa. He was only about seven years old when… Anong kasalanan nila? Bakit hindi ako magpunta, mag-shake hands? Anong kasalanan ni Imee? Bata ‘yan sila lahat. Ang matanda lang doon si Imelda pati si Ferdinand," Duterte had said.

Lagman also highlighted the case of Mapua Institute of Technology student Archimedes Trajano, who was allegedly killed by Imee's security escorts in 1977 after he questioned Imee's capacity to lead national youth organization Kabataang Barangay.

Trajano's body, believed to be tortured for 12 to 36 hours, was found on Sept. 2, 1977.

The late strongman handpicked his daughter, Imee, to head the Kabataang Barangay, Lagman said.

The Trajano family sought justice in a US court and was awarded more than $4 million by the Hawaii District Court, which was affirmed by the US Court of Appeals in 1992.

The Philippine Supreme Court, however, voided the case due to a technicality saying Imee was not properly served her summons.

Lagman said that Imee claimed she was a resident of Singapore when she was served a summons in her reported address in Pasig City.

GMA News Online has sought reactions from the Marcos siblings. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/ALG, GMA News