MANILA: A jewellery collection owned by former first lady Imelda Marcos was “ill-gotten”, a Philippine court has ruled, potentially paving the way for an auction of millions of dollars’ worth of seized treasures.
The anti-graft Sandiganbayan court decided on Monday that the Malacanang Collection, the smallest of three confiscated from the Marcos estate and worth some $150,000, was rightfully owned by the government.
“Partial judgement is hereby rendered declaring the pieces of jewellery, known as the Malacanang Collection, as ill-gotten, and are hereby forfeited in favour of petitioner Republic of the Philippines,” read the 33-page ruling released yesterday.
It is one of three collections seized from the Marcos estate, including a 60-piece set featuring a 150-carat Burmese ruby.
The two sets are already in government hands, but the ruling is significant because previous attempts to auction off the entire haul have been derailed by legal issues. Officials said the court ruling on its forfeiture meant that an auction could now proceed.
An assessment made by Christie’s in 1991 put the value of three collections at $8.5m, though more than two decades on it is likely to be substantially higher.
The pieces in the smallest collection were seized from the presidential palace after the 1986 “people power” revolution ended the two-decade Marcos regime.
He died in exile after fleeing to Hawaii with his family.
Imelda was known for her extravagant lifestyle and love of jewels, art and shoes, and the Marcos family still stand accused of stealing billions from state coffers.
The two other collections include 60 pieces of jewellery seized from Demetriou Roumeliotes, a Greek friend of the Marcoses as he was leaving the country amid the “people power” revolt.
Among the more expensive pieces in the entire collection are an antique sapphire and diamond necklace worth $220,000 and a Persian-style necklace made from more than 100 carats of yellow and pink diamonds. AFP
