SC upholds Sandigan decision junking Marcos ill-gotten wealth case

The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed a Sandiganbayan 2012 ruling dismissing an ill-gotten wealth case filed by the Philippine government against the estate of the late president Ferdinand Marcos and several of his alleged cronies led by business tycoon Lucio Tan.

- DAPHNE GALVEZ

In a 62-page decision promulgated on Oct. 3 but made public on Nov. 13, the SC resolved the consolidated cases originating from the 1987 complaint for recovery and reconveyance of ill-gotten wealth filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) before the Sandiganbayan.

The High Court en banc upheld the Sandiganbayan's June 2012 decision and September 2012 resolution that dismissed the PCGG's second amended complaint for reversion, reconveyance, restitution, accounting and damages.

The Marcos Sr. estate was represented by former first lady Imelda Marcos, son and now President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and daughters Senator Imee Marcos and Irene Araneta.

Aside from Tan, also named as respondents were Don Ferry, Cesar Zalamea and Tan's family members and business associates.

In 2012, the Sandiganbayan dismissed the complaint, saying the government failed to prove that the assets and properties were ill-gotten wealth. The Sandiganbayan also dismissed the motion for reconsideration filed by the government.

The PCGG then brought the case before the SC in four separate petitions, which were all denied.