BREAKING: Duterte OKs auction of P704.8M Marcos jewelry 

Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos at the House of Representatives in Quezon City (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

TOKYO — President Rodrigo has approved the public auction of the P704.8-million jewelry collection seized from now-Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed this to reporters here on Thursday.

“Sabi ni Presidente kagabi na payag na makinabang ang taumbayan doon sa mga jewelry. So tinanong ko siya, ‘Are you going to give the go signal?’ sabi niya, ‘Yes.’ Basta ang importante makarating sa taumbayan ‘yung sales, ‘yung proceeds,”” Panelo said.

But the Palace official could not give a timeline as to when Duterte would the release the order giving the go signal for the auction of Marcos jewelry.

“Depende na sa kanya basta he agrees with it,” he said.

Is it in the offing?

“I think so, sinabi niya kagabi eh,” Panelo noted.

The Commission on Audit (COA) in its 2018 report said the disposal of the P704.8-million jewelry collection confiscated from Marcos only needed the approval of the President before it can be sold via public auction. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)