It was a now show for the heirs of the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos during the scheduled hearing at the Sandiganbayan on Thursday, Sept. 1, to present their evidence in a civil case involving alleged ill-gotten wealth.
While the Sandiganbayan declared them to have waived their right to present their evidence, they were given a non-extendible period of 30 days to submit their respective memorandum.
Those who did not show up during the hearing were former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos-Manotic and her daughters Sen. Imee Marcos-Manotic and Irene Marcos-Araneta, and former Development Bank of the Philippines Vice President Don Ferry.
They are defendants in Civil Case No. 0014 which was filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) in 1987.
Also an heir and a defendant, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had earlier manifested that he would not submit any evidence and would, instead, adopt those that would be submitted by members of his family.
"They are not around, your Honor. May we now move to declare them to have waived their right to present evidence?" the prosecution asked the justices of the Sandiganbayan’s second division.
Division Chairperson Oscar C. Herrera granted the motion of the prosecution, since the defendants were already given the opportunity to present their evidence on Sept. 1 and Oct. 6 during the hearing held last Aug. 10.
Herrera said that the case has been pending "since 1987." He then asked the defendants' lawyers, including the lawyer of President Marcos Jr., to file their memoranda within a period of "non-extendible 30 days" as their final move.
President Marcos Jr.’s lawyer, Manuel Plaza III, in an interview said they will file a memorandum that would be a "summary of our position on the case."
Plaza, however, did not reveal what would be included in the memorandum since, he said, it involves "legal strategy" and will be up to "the appreciation of the court."
He also said that they are "confident" with the submission of the memorandum and they have so far been "satisfied with the developments" of the case.
Civil Case No. 0014 involves Rebecco and Erlinda Panlilio -- alleged business associates of the late former President Marcos and his wife, Imelda.
The PCGG alleged that the Marcoses channeled funds through the Panlilios and other alleged cronies such as Modesto Enriquez, Trinidad Diaz Enriquez, Leandro Enriquez, Roman Cruz, Jr. and Gregorio Castillo.
It claimed that through the alleged cronies, the Marcoses reportedly gained control over businesses such as Ternate Development Corporation, Monte Sol Development Corporation, Olas del Mar Development Corporation, Fantasia Filipina Resort, Inc., Sulo Dobbs, Inc., Philippine Village, Inc., Silahis International Hotel, Inc., and Hotel Properties, Inc.