Marcos mansions explained

The term "Marcos mansions"[1] refers to at least 50 upscale residences in the Philippines of the family of 10th President Ferdinand Marcos.[2] [3] These are aside from the various overseas landholdings of the Marcos family, which are spread around the world. The Supreme Court of the Philippines considers these landholdings as part of "the ill-gotten wealth" of the Marcos family, based on the definitions set forth in Republic Act No. 1379, which had been passed in 1955.[4]

Background

The Supreme Court's interpretation of R.A. 1379 says that property acquired by a public officer or employee which is "manifestly out of proportion to his salary as such public officer and to his other lawful income" is "presumed prima facie to have been unlawfully acquired."[4] The bulk of the assets of the Marcoses, including the Marcos jewels, were treated as "ill gotten" in a 2012 decision which specified that "according to the Official Report of the Minister of Budget, the total salaries of former President Marcos as President from 1966 to 1976 was ₱60,000 a year and from 1977 to 1985, ₱100,000 a year; while that of the former First Lady, Imelda R. Marcos, as Minister of Human Settlements from June 1976 to February 22–25, 1986, was ₱75,000 a year"[4] – about $304,372.[5] The PCGG in its reports would state that the lawful tax declared income of the Marcos couple only amounted from 1960 to 1984 would only amount to PhP 8,148,289.42.[6]

Along with the Marcos jewels, their overseas landholdings, art collection, and Imelda Marcos's shoe hoard, the Marcos mansions are frequently cited to illustrate the Marcos family's wanton spending during the dictatorship. Because the estimated cost of these mansions is much more than the income recorded in Marcos’ sworn statement of assets and liabilities (SALN), the number, size, and opulence of these mansions is interpreted by the Philippine government as prima facie evidence[7] that the Marcoses plundered the Philippine economy.

Some of these properties are titled in the name of Marcos family members, but others are titled in the name of identified “Marcos cronies,” but reserved for the use of the Marcos family.[1] In some cases, several such mansions were located close together, with specific mansions meant for individual members of the family, as was the case of the Marcos mansions on Outlook Drive in Baguio.[8] Many of the Marcos mansions were sequestered by the Philippine government when the Marcoses were expelled from the country as a result of the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

In 2009, Imelda Marcos filed graft charges against PCGG for "illegally confiscating" their family's assets. In question were more than 197 individual certificate of titles within the country, totaling 17,405,984 sq. meters.[9]

Locations

Locations of houses considered "Marcos mansions" include[10] properties in Baguio, in the Ilocos region where the Marcoses trace their ancestry, Leyte where Imelda Marcos's family came from,[11] and throughout the Greater Manila Area and its outskirts.[12]

Baguio properties

Among roughly 50 Marcos mansions scattered throughout the Philippines, the nine properties located in Baguio are among the most commonly covered by media reports, because of their reported opulence and because of their closeness to each other and to major tourist attractions:[2] including Mines View Park, Wright Park, and the Baguio mansion house which was constructed in the early 1900s to be the summer residence of the Philippine head of state. Four of these houses occupy roughly 5 hectares of land on Outlook Drive, just across from the mansion, and were each designated for a member of the Marcos family; the "Wigwam house compound" for Bongbong Marcos, the "Fairmont house compound for Imee Marcos, the "Hans Menzi house compound" for Irene Marcos, and a fourth house for Ferdinand Marcos's mother, Doña Josefa Edralin Marcos.[2]

Located on the same road is a two-story house called the "Lualhati residence", whose title was held by Marcos crony, Jose Y. Campos, on behalf of the Marcoses. Another property, the Banaue Inn compound, is located just behind the Campos house.[2]

Metro Manila properties

Closer to the main seat of power, Marcos mansions were located in Makati, Parañaque, Manila, and San Juan. Houses were once again designated for each of the three Marcos children: a residence in Seaside subdivision, Parañaque was designated for Bongbong Marcos,[13] [2] one in Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong was designated for Imee Marcos,[2] while a house in Forbes Park, Makati, was designated for Irene Marcos.[2]

Marcos mansions in other provinces

Other locations where Marcos mansions were built include several in Ilocos Norte and Leyte, the home provinces of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos respectively; and in Mariveles, Bataan, and in Cavite.

Particularly notable is the Malacañang of the North mansion in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, which was built by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) in 1977, in time for Ferdinand Marcos's 60th birthday. The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court stripped the Marcoses of the property in 2014, voiding a 1978 agreement between Marcos and the then PTA, deciding that since it is a national park, the Marcos family had no legal rights over it since national parks are "inalienable public domain".[14] Bongbong Marcos objected to the decision, saying the property was owned by the family.[15]

In Tolosa, Leyte, a muti-million dollar seaside resort was constructed in 1974, in time for the Marcoses to entertain participants of the 1974 Miss Universe beauty contest, which was being held in the Philippines that year.[2] The property was severely damaged by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.[16]

A different mansion, in Tacloban, is noted for having been the former site of the "impoverished Quonset hut" which was Imelda Marcos's childhood home.[2] When her husband became president of the Philippines, Imelda transformed the site into a 2000 square meter mansion with a shrine to the Santo Niño and a museum, which has since been dubbed the "Santo Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum".[11] The site was less damaged by Typhoon Haiyan than the Olot mansion was, but still sustained at least PhP20 million worth of damages. The Philippine Commission on Good Government, which had sequestered the property, decided to repair the site since it had been converted to a tourist site which was a major money-earner for Leyte.[11]

There is also what is known as the Marcos Twin Mansion built by Imelda Marcos in Casile, Calamba, on the property donated by Jose Yulo, for their 25th Wedding Anniversary.[17] Ferdinand Marcos in turn gifted Imelda with 25 gold bullions.

Ferdinand Marcos also expropriated Talaga Beach in Mariveles, Bataan for his family's exclusive use. The beach estate sequestered by the PCGG.[18] [19]

Use of government money for construction and maintenance

Verification by the Philippine government's Commission on Audit after the ouster of the Marcos family revealed that the construction, renovation, and maintenance of these various houses were paid for by the Philippine government through the office of the President. Maintenance and upkeep alone cost at least US$3.2 million in 1984 and US$10.5 million in 1985, all at prevailing exchange rates and not yet adjusted for inflation.[2]

According to the calculations of author Ricardo Manapat, this would have been sufficient to feed "a small town of 48,000 people," or "8,000 starving families of 6" for a year.[2]

List of current and former properties owned by the Marcos clan

PropertyAddressSizeProperty valuePersonalityDate acquiredNotesCoordinates
San Juan Residence[20] [21] 204 Mariano Marcos Street, Maytunas, San Juan, Metro Manila1993sqmPhP 111 million (2003)Ferdinand MarcosAugust 1951Acquired during Ferdinand Marcos's term as congressman. Currently used by Imee Marcos as her registered address.[22] Location was originally named Ortega Street. Joseph Estrada, during his term as mayor of San Juan, endorsed this to the city council for the renaming as Mariano Marcos Street.[23] 14.5949°N 121.037°W
P. Guevarra House and Lot362 P. Guevarra Street corner Maude Street, Maytunas, San Juan, Metro Manila864sqmFerdinand Marcos, Imelda MarcosCurrently used by Imee Marcos as the official address of her media outfit, Creative Media and Film Society of the Philippines.14.5941°N 121.037°W
C.M. Recto MansionC. M. Recto Street corner Mariano Marcos Street, Maytunas, San Juan, Metro Manila932sqmFerdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcos14.5954°N 121.0367°W
Pacific Plaza Penthouse[24] [25] 34/F, Pacific Plaza Tower, 4th Avenue, West Crescent Park, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro ManilaImelda MarcosCurrent residence of Imelda Marcos14.5473°N 121.045°W
Seaside[26] Arias Compound and Vilmar Court, Quirino Avenue, Tambo, Parañaque3269sqmBongbong MarcosSeptember 197714.51°N 120.9927°W
IRC Mapalad PropertyRoxas Boulevard, Tambo, Parañaque4038sqmPhP 278,622,000 (2012)Jose Campos Yao14.5228°N 120.9943°W
International School of Manila PropertyKalayaan Avenue, Makati4.5haPhP 1.9 billion (2003)14.5656°N 121.0283°W
Wack-Wack House & LotWack-Wack Village, Wack Wack-Greenhills, MandaluyongPhP 127 million (2011)[27] Imee Marcos, Tomas Manotoc[28] 1983The PCGG sold the property in 2011
Forbes Park[29] 52 McKinley Road, Forbes Park, MakatiIrene Marcos, Gregorio Maria Araneta II14.5481°N 121.0336°W
Dasmariñas VillageDasmariñas Village, MakatiPhP 200 million (1994)Ferdinand Marcos, Jose Campos Yao
BF Homes ParañaqueBF Homes ParañaqueBongbong Marcos14.4399°N 121.0179°W
IRC San Isidro AntipoloSan Isidro, AntipoloPhP 27.6 million (1995)Ferdinand Marcos, Jose Campos YaoSold by the PCGG in 1995.
IRC Antipolo – Victoria ValleyVictoria Valley Subdivision, AntipoloP32.3 million (1996)Ferdinand Marcos, Jose Campos YaoSold by the PCGG in 1996.
Malacañang of the NorthPaoay, Ilocos Norte57 ha[30] Ferdinand Marcos1977Built for Ferdinand Marcos's 60th birthday by the Philippine Tourism Authority.[31] 18.1282°N 120.5399°W
Currimao PropertyCurrimao, Ilocos NortePhP 1,426,710Ferdinand Marcos
Marcos House[32] 44 Outlook Drive, BaguioFerdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcos16.415°N 120.6264°W
Hans Menzi EstateOutlook Drive, Baguio3875.57m2PhP 37,245,850.00 (2012)Irene MarcosThe PCGG sold the property for PhP 93 million in 2012.[33] Currently, the property hosts the Outlook Steak & Grill and the Grand Sierra Pines Baguio.16.4152°N 120.6257°W
Wigwam Compound[34] Outlook Drive, Baguio1146haBongbong Marcos16.4142°N 120.6254°W
Fairmont House CompoundOutlook Drive, BaguioImee Marcos
Banaue Inn Compound[35] Outlook Drive, Baguio2677m2
Lualhati Residence / J.Y. Campos PropertyOutlook Drive, BaguioPhP 160 million (2014)Ferdinand Marcos, Jose Y. CamposThe PCGG sold property in 2014
Talaga BeachMariveles, Bataan129.4ha[36] Ferdinand Marcos, Anchor Estate Inc.14.4166°N 120.4901°W
Marcos Twin MansionYulo Estate, CabuyaoFerdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcos197914.2033°N 121.0419°W
PJI Beach[37] Mabini, Batangas
Calauit Island[38] [39] (UNCTAD V, the next session, would be held in Manila three years later, in 1979.[40])Calauit Island, Palawan3700haFerdinand Marcos, Bongbong Marcos197612.2794°N 119.8821°W
Olot Estate[41] [42] [43] Tolosa, Leyte42ha[44] Imelda Marcos197411.071°N 125.0368°W
Santo Niño ShrineTaclobanImelda Marcos14.51°N 120.9927°W

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Marcos mansions rotting . Dumlao . Artemio . January 28, 2012 . The Philippine Star . May 4, 2018.
  2. Book: Ricardo., Manapat . Some are smarter than others : the history of Marcos' crony capitalism . 1991 . Aletheia Publications . 9719128704 . New York . 28428684.
  3. Book: Garcia, Myles . Thirty Years Later... Catching Up with the Marcos-Era Crimes . 2016 . 9781456626501.
  4. IMELDA ROMUALDEZ-MARCOS, vs. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES . G.R. No. 189505 . Supreme Court of the Philippines . April 25, 2012 . http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/april2012/189434.htm . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190310044813/http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph:80/jurisprudence/2012/april2012/189434.htm . March 10, 2019.
  5. News: Buan . Lian . SC affirms forfeiture of Imelda Marcos' 3rd jewelry set . en . July 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200726092222/https://rappler.com/nation/supreme-court-forfeiture-imelda-marcos-jewelry-malacanang-collection . July 26, 2020 . live.
  6. Web site: PCGG Accomplishment Report 2019 . PCGG . PCGG . June 8, 2021.
  7. Web site: Republic Act No 1379.
  8. Web site: Marcos Mansions in Baguio: Future Tourism Sites? . Alegre . Ace . September 30, 2006 . Bulatlat . en-US . May 4, 2018.
  9. News: Imelda Marcos files graft case vs PCGG . June 8, 2021 . ABS-CBN News . February 11, 2009 . en.
  10. Book: Henares, Larry . Kiss and Bite . 2014.
  11. News: Imelda's ex-summer mansion gets P20M for repair . Gabieta . Joey A. . July 18, 2015 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . May 6, 2018 . en.
  12. News: Court orders forfeiture of Bugarin properties . GMA News Online . May 6, 2018 . en-US.
  13. News: Marcos lots for sale: No takers Philstar.com . Dizon . Nikko . June 11, 2003 . The Philippine Star . May 7, 2018.
  14. News: Marcoses lose Paoay property. March 24, 2017. Rappler. April 23, 2014. en.
  15. News: Paoay property is ours – Bongbong Marcos. March 24, 2017. Rappler. January 16, 2014. en.
  16. News: Supertyphoon 'Yolanda' destroys Imelda Marcos mansion . Ramos . Marlon . November 19, 2013 . May 7, 2018 . en.
  17. News: Requejo . Rey . Marcos heirs can't reclaim Cabuyao mansion yet—SC . June 5, 2021 . Manila Standard . January 24, 2017 . en.
  18. News: Felix . Rocel . Government set to reorganize PCGG . June 5, 2021 . Philstar.com . February 11, 2011.
  19. Samahan ng Magsasaka at Mangingisda sa Sitio Naswe, Inc (SAMMAN), Represented by Rogelio A. Commendador vs. Tomas Tan . Supreme Court of the Philippines . April 18, 2016 . G.R. 196028 . June 5, 2021.
  20. News: Gov't confiscates Marcos property in San Juan . June 7, 2021 . ABS-CBN News . October 27, 2011 . en.
  21. News: Burgonio . T. J. . Seizure of Imelda Marcos' San Juan assets ordered . June 7, 2021 . INQUIRER.net . October 28, 2011 . en.
  22. Web site: Imee Marcos Manotoc ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database . offshoreleaks.icij.org . June 10, 2021.
  23. News: Pasion . Patty . San Juan's Guia Gomez endorses Bongbong Marcos for VP . June 18, 2021 . Rappler . February 15, 2016 . en.
  24. News: Lamb . David . Still a Thrilla in Manila . June 7, 2021 . Los Angeles Times . December 12, 1997.
  25. News: Tully . Shaun . My afternoon with Imelda Marcos . June 7, 2021 . Fortune . January 9, 2014 . en.
  26. News: Dizon . Nikko . Marcos lots for sale: No takers . June 7, 2021 . Philstar.com . June 11, 2003.
  27. News: Lustre . Philip . Search for Marcos' wealth: Compromising with cronies . June 12, 2021 . Rappler . February 25, 2016 . en.
  28. News: Redmond . Ron . Marcos grandson born in secrecy . June 19, 2021 . UPI . UPI . April 10, 1983 . en.
  29. Web site: #52 MCKINLEY ROAD; FORBES PARK; MAKATI ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database . offshoreleaks.icij.org . June 10, 2021.
  30. Web site: Keeping Up with the Marcoses: Money, Fame and Fortune . Martial Law Museum . June 7, 2021 . en.
  31. News: Arzadon. Cristina. Bringing back the grandeur of Malacañang ti Amianan. March 24, 2017. Cebu Daily News. October 12, 2012.
  32. News: Alegre . Ace . Bulatlat - The Philippines's alternative weekly magazine . June 10, 2021 . www.bulatlat.com . September 24, 2006.
  33. News: Ronda . Rainier Allan . PCGG sells Menzi property for P93 million . June 10, 2021 . Philstar.com . April 26, 2012.
  34. News: Polonio . Jessa Mardy . Marcos property up for auction . June 10, 2021 . Sunstar . January 21, 2016 . English.
  35. News: Valenzuela . Lara Cerys . Cabreza . Vincent . Marcos Baguio mansions up for auction again . June 7, 2021 . INQUIRER.net . January 29, 2012 . en.
  36. G.R. No. 196028 . Supreme Court of the Philippines . April 18, 2016 . June 8, 2021.
  37. Web site: PCGG Year End Accomplishment Report 2016 . Presidential Commission on Good Government . June 7, 2021.
  38. News: Sta. Maria . E. A. . Sold at P52.6 M! Anita Magsaysay-Ho's painting of women with baskets is auction's brightest star . June 8, 2021 . ABS-CBN News . January 31, 2020 . en.
  39. News: How a Patch of the Kenyan Wild Ended up in Philippines - Owaahh. August 21, 2014. Owaahh. March 26, 2018. en-US.
  40. Web site: UNCTAD Conferences . unctad.org . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120626052851/http://unctad.org/en/Pages/Meetings/UNCTAD-Conferences.aspx?UN=1,14,, . June 26, 2012 . November 12, 2019.
  41. Web site: Olot Mansion . Travel and Tour Guide Tolosa Wonders . June 7, 2021.
  42. News: THROWBACK: Miss Universe 1974 winners visit Imelda's Leyte beach house . June 7, 2021 . ABS-CBN News . January 18, 2017 . en.
  43. Web site: G.R. No. 155832 . lawphil.net . June 12, 2021.
  44. Web site: G.R. No. 155832 : December 7, 2010 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (Fourth Division) and IMELDA R. MARCOS, Respondents. : December 2010 - Philipppine Supreme Court Decisions . www.chanrobles.com . Supreme Court of the Philippines . June 7, 2021.