President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, Aug. 10, decided not to present his own evidence and opted, instead, to adopt those that would be submitted by the other Marcos’ heirs in the ill-gotten wealth case filed against them before the Sandiganbayan.
Lawyer Manuel Plaza submitted to the anti-graft court during the hearing a special power of attorney to act on the case on behalf of the President.
When asked by Sandiganbayan second division Chairperson Oscar C. Herrera Jr. what the President will do next, Plaza answered that they will be adopting the evidence to be presented by the other defendants in the Civil Case No. 0014.
"Are you resting your case already?" Herrera asked, to which Plaza answered, "Yes."
The anti-graft court gave the other defendants – former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos, Sen. Ma. Imelda Marcos-Manotoc, Irene Marcos-Araneta, and Don Ferry -- time to present their evidence on Sept. 1 and 22.
Should they fail to do so, the prosecutors said that they will file a motion for the court to declare that they have waived their right to present their evidence.
Civil Case No. 0014, which was filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG) in 1987, involved Rebecco and Erlinda Panlilio -- alleged business associates of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos and his wife, Imelda.
The PCGG claimed that the Marcoses channeled funds through the Panlilios and other cronies such as Modesto Enriquez, Trinidad Diaz Enriquez, Leandro Enriquez, Roman Cruz, Jr. and Gregorio Castillo.
Through the alleged cronies, the PCGG alleged that the Marcoses gained control over several businesses such as the Ternate Development Corporation, Monte Sol Development Corporation, Olas del Mar Development Corporation, Fantasia Filipina Resort, Inc., Sulo Dobbs, Inc., Philippine Village Hotel, Inc., Silahis International Hotel, Inc., and Hotel Properties, Inc.
With the death of former President Marcos, his heirs were substituted as defendants in the civil case.