Solgen ready to take over Marcos wealth cases

MANILA, Philippines -  Solicitor General Jose Calida is ready to take over the government’s bid to recover the remaining ill-gotten wealth of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos and his heirs.

Calida said he is ready to pursue cases against the Marcoses, which the House of Representatives is pushing for, despite supporting former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the vice presidential elections last year.

He vowed to be fair and impartial even after being a leader of the “Alyansang Duterte-BongBong” or “AlDub” that pushed for the tandem of President Duterte and Marcos.

“I am now a government official. The elections (last year) has no more bearing on my duty as a government official so it doesn’t matter to me,” Calida added.

The top government lawyer said he would have no choice if House Bill 5233, which expands the functions of his office to include the recovery of Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth, among others, is enacted into law.

“That is the prerogative of Congress – they enact the laws and we will implement that law if it is passed,” he told reporters in an ambush interview.