ILOILO CITY—As a former commissioner of the government agency tasked to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos dictatorship, former Iloilo provincial governor Arthur Defensor Sr. took a swipe at presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“His family has robbed the Filipino people of billions of pesos,” said Defensor during the February 25 grand rally for the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
Defensor was commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) during the initial years of the Cory Aquino administration.
“Ako ang nagdala sang dokumento diri sa Pilipinas halin sa Switzerland nga ga pamatuod nga US$ 530 million dollars nga kinawatan kag sa ngalan sang mga Marcoses (I am the one who brought back the documents here in the Philippines from Switzerland that proves the stolen US$ 530 million and in the name of the Marcoses),” Defensor told a crowd estimated to be around 40,000 people.
This come as supporters of the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. claimed the Marcoses did not amass ill-gotten wealth while their wealth was derived from the alleged Tallano gold and the Yamashita treasure. They further claimed Marcos Jr. will give it away to the Filipino people.
With the grand rally coinciding with the 36th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution,
Defensor warned Ilonggo voters that gains made 36 years ago would be useless if Marcos Jr. is elected.
“Mabalik naman ang nadula nga hustisya sa aton kag pag pangawat sa Republika ng Pilipinas (Justice will be lost and the Republic of the Philippines will be robbed again),” Defensor warned.
“Under Leni, indi na siya mag pangawat --- matinlo, maisog, maalam (Under Leni, she will not rob --- clean, courageous and smart),” added Defensor.
His sons—incumbent Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. and Iloilo 3rd District Congressman Lorenz “Noy” Defensor—are also backing Robredo for president.