Filipinos feel insulted as Imelda declared second richest

Rep. Imelda Marcos with children Bongbong and Imee

We understand how Rep. Manny Pacquiao got his 1.3 billion pesos in net worth for 2011, thus, making him the richest among Philippine politicians.

But for Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, who, together with her late despotic husband, has historically done more harm than good to this country during their 20 years in power, not only by scandalously enriching themselves and leaving the coffers of the government dry, but also deplorably committing political repression and human rights violation – to be named second richest among the country’s politicians smacks of insult and arrogance that they have always been known for.

The widow of deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared her wealth at P932.8 million in 2011.

We have all been victims of Marcoses, one time or another during their despotic rule, but I think the most aggrieved are those who have lost loves ones or who have suffered the atrocities/abuses inflicted on them and, who, until now continue to demand for justice.

For how ironic it has been and how devastating the experience is for those afflicted that despite attempts of past administrations and the current government to recover billions allegedly illegally-amassed by her husband and make him account for human rights violations committed during his 20-year rule, the Marcoses have returned, allowed to enter politics again and has since then been flaunting their popularity, their wealth and their influence.

The 82-year-old former first lady even chairs the House committee on millennium development goals, which concerns itself with achieving anti-poverty and women development targets set by the United Nations.

It is said that the compensation bill for the victims of the dark days of martial law has been pending since 1998 and has yet to become a law.

The measure seeks to provide monetary compensation to the martial law victims and to recognize their contribution in the fight against the Marcos dictatorship. It states that funding would come from the recovered ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.

The House has approved its own version of the bill, but the Senate version is still at the chamber’s committee on justice.

In the meantime, Imelda and her children are gaining political strength and getting richer everyday.

Having said that, the chance of the senate version to be approved looks more lifeless now than ever since Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is a member of the senate.

How more miserably ironic can it be for the martial law victims!