Imelda ordered to return P10-million NFA money

MANILA, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos had illegally withdrawn P10 million from the National Food Authority (NFA) and transferred the money to his private account in 1983, the Sandiganbayan has ruled.

The anti-graft court has ordered Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Romualdez-Marcos to return the amount to the government.

Mrs. Marcos was also ordered to pay P1 million in moral damages; P500,000 in exemplary damages; P250,000 in nominal damages; and P200,000 in attorney’s fees.

“The unaccounted and unjustified transfer of the P10-million NFA funds to a private bank was highly irregular and illegal,” read the decision.

“Premises considered, judgment is rendered in favor of the plaintiff and against defendant Imelda Romualdez-Marcos as the legal representative of her spouse, the late defendant Ferdinand Marcos, and in her personal capacity.”

The Sandiganbayan said the testimony of former NFA administrator Jesus Tanchangco was enough to prove the government’s case against Marcos.

“Tanchangco’s testimony provided the trail of events and the personalities therein involved, evincing the illegal diversion of funds from the government through its agency, to what convincingly are private coffers,” read the decision.

Tanchangco was dropped as a defendant after an immunity agreement with the government in 1988.

He allowed the release of P10 million from the NFA’s Philippine National Bank account based on a telephone instruction from Marcos, Tanchangco said in his testimony.

NFA comptroller Cesar Aquino was acquitted after he was found to have merely followed orders and delivered the money “in three big bags” to Security Bank president Rolando Gapud, the Sandiganbayan said.

Mrs. Marcos plans to appeal the decision, her lawyer Robert Sison said.

“The case was filed when the Marcos family was abroad, and there was never an opportunity for them to file proper pleadings,” he said.