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SENATORS yesterday sought to find out what had happened to the Marcos family's $580-million Swiss bank deposit that was supposed to have been transferred to the Philippine National Bank.
Sen. Raul Roco, co-chair of the Senate inquiry into the Marcos wealth, said the move was prompted by conflicting reports on whether the money had actually been placed in a PNB trust account.
Malacaņang, which is negotiating with the heirs of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos for a sharing of their alleged ill-gotten wealth, had earlier announced the transfer of the funds.
But according to former Senate President Jovito Salonga, who served as the first chair of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, the money has not been turned over to the PNB.
''They contradict each other,'' said Roco, chair of the Senate committee on banks. ''One of them must be telling the truth, and I don't know who between them.'
He said the Senate would invite PNB officials to a hearing to shed light on ''the factual status of the escrow account.''
Roco, however, explained that the escrow agent need not have physical possession of the object in question.
''You can have the papers, and that's what we call constructive possession,'' he said. ''What you possess does not have to be physical.''
Roco also urged President Estrada to launch an ''international offensive'' to compel the immediate turnover of the money, if Salonga's statements were true.
The senator said the action should cover not only the $580 million but ''everything deposited in Switzerland that the Swiss banks know to belong to the Marcoses.'
The President yesterday rejected the proposal that he sign a new escrow agreement that would strengthen the government's hold on the $580 million.
"Up to now, I have no knowledge of any escrow or what they claim are foundations that we put up. I don't know what Senator Salonga is talking about,'' the President said in an interview.
Mr. Estrada was commenting on Salonga's suggestion that he clarify the terms of the escrow account because it was allegedly based on ''spurious'' documents that could invalidate the government's claim to the money.
''We will take this advice if we are already creating foundations or escrow (accounts), but there is nothing yet. So why would I heed this advice when we have not started anything?'' he said.
Asked if he would meet with Salonga to talk about the escrow issue, Mr. Estrada said he would not.
''I have nothing to clear with him, no need to talk with him,'' the President said.
''In fact, if we ever start this, we will consult even Congress. As I've said time and again, my administration will be transparent. Everybody will know (of the process) in detail. Every single cent of what we will deal with the Marcos family will be known to the public.''
Mr. Estrada also scoffed at reports that Peter Cosandey, the Swiss court magistrate instrumental in the transfer of the Marcoses' Swiss deposit to the country, had advised him to amend the escrow agreement.
''I don't know how (Salonga) knew that because Cosandey just came here to say goodbye,'' Mr. Estrada said.
''He is retiring from public service, and, of course, I thanked him because he was the one responsible for bringing back the $580 million. That is all that we talked about. I said goodbye and expressed my thanks, nothing more.
''I don't know that (Salonga's) hearing is that good.''
Earlier in the day, an angry President described Salonga as ''out of his mind.''
Salonga had said the Marcos deposit was placed in the name of five ''Marcos dummy'' foundations when Mr. Estrada took his oath as President.
''What escrow account? What foundation?'' the President demanded of reporters interviewing him after an affair at Angelicum College in Quezon City.
''We have not put up any foundation. What's the name of the foundation? You are all guessing. Name me one.'
Philippine Daily Inquirer, January 29, 1999 |
