Sue Hartigan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Talk about buying the presidency. LOL
Mrs. Marcos Says Family Has $800M
>
> MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Imelda Marcos claimed
> Thursday to have more than $800 million stashed away in
> foreign banks, all of which she promised to give to poor
> Filipinos if she is elected president.
>
> ``If you know how rich you are, you are not rich,'' the
> widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos said. ``But me, I am
> not aware of the extent of my wealth. That's how rich we
> are.''
>
> It is the first time Mrs. Marcos has publicly admitted
> her family has more wealth than that discovered by the
> government since Marcos was ousted in a popular revolt
> in 1986.
>
> Marcos died in 1989, accused of plundering about $10
> billion from the national treasury during his 20-year
> rule. He never admitted any wrongdoing.
>
> Mrs. Marcos said the $800 million does not include $540
> million the government has discovered her husband had in
> various accounts in two Swiss banks.
>
> ``There is more Marcos wealth that this government is
> not yet aware of, but for the time being, I can admit
> that there is only $800 million kept in various
> international banks, but I cannot reveal them,'' Mrs.
> Marcos told a press forum in Manila.
>
> Mrs. Marcos, who is trailing in a field of nine major
> candidates in May's presidential election, promised to
> distribute the money to poor communities.
>
> Magtanggol Gunigundo, chairman of the Presidential
> Commission on Good Government, in charge of recovering
> the Marcos wealth, welcomed her admission.
>
> ``That is good, so that we can embark on another case of
> forfeiture and confiscation,'' Gunigundo said.
>
> But while he said he believes the Marcoses do have
> undisclosed assets -- how much he would not say -- he
> also cautioned that Mrs. Marcos' statement must also be
> seen in the light of the presidential campaign.
>
> ``I believe she is saying this in order to titillate the
> people to vote for her,'' he said.
>
> Mrs. Marcos ran unsuccessfully in the 1992 election and
> won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1995.
>
> In December and January, the Swiss Supreme Court ordered
> that the $540 million be transferred to an escrow
> account in the Philippines. The court stipulated that
> the Philippine government will get the money only if it
> proves Mrs. Marcos obtained it illegally.
>
> So far, Mrs. Marcos has been convicted only on unrelated
> corruption charges. She was sentenced to nine to 12
> years in prison but is free on bond pending an appeal.
--
Two rules in life:
1. Don't tell people everything you know.
2.
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