Exposing the Marcoses: KUNG TALAGANG NAGNAKAW ANG MGA MARCOS, BAKIT DI SILA NAKULONG?

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"Kung talagang nagnakaw ang mga Marcos, bakit di sila nakulong?"

That is the most common question that people ask when the accusations of corruption and human rights abuses are made against the Marcos family. Nevertheless, this question is wrongly framed from the assumption that the state’s justice system is fair and that the ex-president’s family did not influence the system to avoid prosecution. However, there are several reasons that explain why the Marcoses should not have gone to jail.

- Take for example Imelda Marcos who is out on bail. She succeeded in posting bail for a criminal conviction.

- The plunder law in the case did not exist as it was introduced in 1991 and the crimes were committed before then.

- Most of the cases against the Marcoses are not criminal. However, there was one culprit and his name was late, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. These cases were supposed to ascertain that bank accounts were indeed ill-gotten wealth and should be redistributed according to Philippine law.

- Marcos Jr. has been trying to stall the case by employing a different lawyer, postponing court dates, not showing up, etc., and testifying against the Philippine government on recovering all that wealth. Already, there are amendments proposed to be incorporated to include imprisonment as a punishment for the persons who have ill-gotten wealth.

Another question: why are most of the cases against the Marcoses not criminal? Most of the cases against the Marcoses cannot be treated as criminal since they are basically directed to the recovery of the lost wealth. These civil cases are aimed at confirming the legitimacy of the wealth and its return to the Philippine government. - The reasons why the Marcoses were not jailed were because they: 1. Had overwhelming evidence pointing to their guilt. However, this does not imply that they are guiltless or they should be absolved. This only means that justice has been delayed and denied for too long and the Filipino people do not deserve this anymore.

The Philippines is still grappling with the effects of the Marcos dictatorship which lasted from 1972 to 1986. However, during this time, the Marcos family stole billions of dollars, violated human rights and democracy. Although their government was removed by popular revolt in 1986, they have never been prosecuted for their crimes.

They escaped justice, regained power, and rewrote history. It is essential to understand that merely, the Marcoses are free does not translate that the Marcos family is innocent. All the documents show that they are aware that what they possess is ill-acquired wealth.

However, estimates indicate that the Philippine government managed to recover over $4 billion of their assets, but over $10 billion is supposedly hidden in offshore accounts and properties. Different courts and commissions both within the Philippines and outside have declared the Marcoses guilty of plunder, graft, and human rights violations. Despite this, they have utilized their power, links, and assets to postpone appeals or overturn these verdicts. The Marcoses also have attempted to wash their history and present themselves as heroes and victims. Propaganda, fake news and revisionism to mislead people about facts and the crimes they committed.

They have taken advantage of some Filipinos who are ignorant, apathetic, or nostalgic for the old times. They have also enlisted associates and supporters from various societal spheres such as politicians, business people, religious organizations and even a few activists and artists.

We will not tolerate their lies and deception. The truth must be remembered and we owe our freedom and democracy to the sacrifices made by those who fought for us. We need to learn about and enlighten ourselves as well as others on the dark past and current dangers of the Marcos dictatorship.

We have to resist their efforts to regain power and recover lost assets. These are the people we have to demand justice and accountability from, as well as from those who allow them to commit the crimes. As such, we have to guard our democracy and our future from a new despot.

Sources: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/04/five-things-to-know-about-martial-law-in-the-philippines/

https://library.law.hawaii.edu/2017/09/07/the-haunting-of-martial-law-records-from-the-marcos-regime/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61379915

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1490968/marcos-martial-law-golden-age-for-corruption-abuses