MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday that Congress should be involved in getting the family of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos to surrender their wealth, since they would likely seek immunity in return.
Marcos and his wife Imelda were accused of plundering about $10 billion from state coffers in their 20 years in power. A bloodless “People Power” army-backed uprising in 1986 chased the family into US exile.
He died in exile in Hawaii in 1989 but his family made a political comeback in the Philippines, with widow Imelda and their children being elected to office.
Duterte has openly supported the family, encouraging the late dictator’s son Ferdinand Jr. in his failed bid for the vice-presidency last year. The president and vice president are elected separately in the Philippines.
Duterte said last week a Marcos family member had consulted him about a proposal to hand over some assets to the government. But on Tuesday the president said such a move would need congressional approval.
“You have to have the consent of Congress because they have to formulate a law. It is a long process. It is not up to me,” he told reporters.
Although Duterte said the Marcos family had not asked for immunity, he said they clearly would not offer to return the wealth unless they were given such protection in exchange.
“These Marcoses will not agree to return it and then to be jailed,” he said.
Duterte warned that if the government did not agree to offer immunity, “you will look till the ends of the earth to get them,” referring to the Marcos wealth.
Duterte had originally said he would accept the Marcos offer and planned to appoint a retired supreme court judge to negotiate with the family on the government’s behalf.
But his suggestion was fiercely opposed by victims of the Marcos regime. They say the family has never admitted guilt for widespread rights abuses and corruption during the dictatorship.
No member of the Marcos family went to prison despite the government recovery of part of the family fortune through litigation and out-of-court settlements.
The government announced in June that Duterte may abolish the government agency that has recovered some 170 billion pesos ($3.4 billion) from Marcos and his family.
Duterte also stunned the nation last November by allowing the late dictator to be buried in the national “Heroes’ Cemetery” despite a widespread outcry.
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Marcos kin need Philippine Congress approval for deal: Duterte
Marcos kin need Philippine Congress approval for deal: Duterte
‘Hero’ who disarmed Bondi gunman recovers in hospital as donations pour in
- Sydney resident Ahmed Al-Ahmed seized rifle from one of the gunmen
- Ahmed was shot in hand and arm his family says
- Australia PM said Ahmed showed ‘best of humanity’
SYDNEY: Donations for a Sydney man who wrestled a gun from one of the alleged attackers during a mass shooting at Bondi Beach have surged past A$1.1 million ($744,000), as he recovers in hospital after surgery for bullet wounds.
Forty-three-year-old Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a Muslim father-of-two, hid behind parked cars before charging at one of the gunmen from behind, seizing his rifle and knocking him to the ground.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ahmed’s bravery saved lives.
“What we’ve seen in the last 24 hours was the worst of humanity in a terrorist act. But we also saw an example of the best of humanity in Ahmed Al Ahmed running toward danger, putting his own life at risk,” Albanese told state broadcaster ABC News.
He was shot twice by a second perpetrator, Albanese said. Ahmed’s family said he was hit in the hand and arm.
Australian police on Monday said a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son carried out the attack at a Jewish celebration on Sunday afternoon, killing 15 people in the country’s worst mass shooting in almost 30 years.
HAILED A HERO FOR DISARMING THE GUNMAN
Ahmed’s father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, told ABC News in an interview that his son was an Australian citizen and sells fruits and vegetables.
“My son is a hero. He served in the police, he has the passion to defend people.”
“When he saw people lying on the ground and the blood, quickly his conscience pushed him to attack one of the terrorists and take away his weapon,” Mohamed Fateh said.
Jozay Alkanji, Ahmed’s cousin, said he had had initial surgery and may need more.
AHMED PICTURED IN HOSPITAL
Tributes have poured in from leaders both abroad and at home.
Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, said in a social media post he visited Ahmed at St. George Hospital and conveyed the gratitude of people across the state.
“Ahmed is a real-life hero,” his post said. “Thank you, Ahmed.” A photo showed Minns at his bedside, and Ahmed propped on pillows with his left arm in a cast.
US President Donald Trump called Ahmed “a very, very brave person” who saved many lives.
A GoFundMe campaign set up for Ahmed has raised more than A$1.1 million within one day. Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman was the largest donor, contributing A$99,999 and sharing the fundraiser on his X account.
SUPPORTERS THANK AHMED FOR SAVING LIVES
Outside St. George Hospital, strangers came to show their support.
Misha and Veronica Pochuev left flowers for Ahmed with their seven-year-old daughter, Miroslava.
“My husband is Russian, my father is Jewish, my grandpa is Muslim. This is not only about Bondi, this is about every person,” Veronica said.
Yomna Touni, 43, stayed at the hospital for hours to offer assistance on behalf of a Muslim-run charity also raising funds for Ahmed.
“The intention is to raise as much money as possible for his speedy recovery,” she said. ($1 = 1.5047 Australian dollars) (Writing by Praveen Menon; Editing by Michael Perry, Saad Sayeed, Alexandra Hudson)
