Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chairman John Agbayani admitted to House members Wednesday morning, Aug. 24 that the agency won't be filing any new cases against the Marcos family on the issue of ill-gotten wealth.
"Personally...we do not foresee any new cases to be filed against the Marcoses," Agbayani told the House Committee on Justice via Zoom during the panel's organizational meeting.
At that time, Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. was interpellating Agbayani on what the latter thought would be the use of PCGG to the government 36 years after it was established.
Created in the aftermath of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, the PCGG is primarily mandated to recover the supposed ill-gotten wealth accumulated by the late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., his immediate family, relatives, subordinates and close associates, whether located in the Philippines or abroad.
Barzaga, a lawyer, argued any new case to be filed by the PCGG will have already entered the period of prescription.
"Thirty-six years have already elapsed and do you think the persons to be charged are still liable criminally? Are they still alive?" the veteran congressman asked. Agbayani answered by saying that there won't be any new cases filed against the Marcoses.
"What about the other persons?" Barzaga asked in a follow up.
"The same," Agbayani said. "For the last 15 to 20 years, there are no evidence surfacing in order to prove the existence of ill-gotten wealth against and their cronies. At this time there are no evidence available already in order to prosecute."
He said the last time that the PCGG filed a case in connection with its mandate was back in the 1990s.
But the PCGG head noted that "There may be some new persons to be involved in ill-gotten cases related to the Marcoses."
To this, Barzaga replied, "As a practicing lawyer, the best evidence would be available right after, immediately, the commission of the offense. And for a period of 36 years, you don't have the evidence, do you think you can still file and prosecute, successfully, cases?"
"Congressman Barzaga, I agree with you that it's very difficult to prosecute," Agbayani responded.
The incumbent President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is the son of Marcos Sr.