MANILA (UCAN): “You want to clear your family’s name? Do it right, honestly and sincerely. If not, even your great-grandchildren will be haunted by a past they did not make or choose, by the past you so stubbornly chose to cover up,” Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan, challenged presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., during an interview on Radio Veritas on April 5.
The Marcos family owes a staggering amount in taxes on the estate left by the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos. In 1999, the family was ordered by a court to pay 23 billion pesos [US$460 million; HK$3.6 billion] in taxes on the estate left by dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
This has not been paid and the total amount, including interest and penalties, has now risen to 203 billion pesos, according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Bishop Bagaforo, the head of Caritas Philippines, called on Marcos Jr. to respect the law and pay the bill if he wanted to become president in the upcoming elections.
“Bongbong Marcos has been very consistent in his statements saying he will abide by the orders of the court. That is very noble of him. But I think it’s about time he walks his talk,” Bishop Bagaforo told Radio Veritas.
Spokesperson for Marcos, Vic Rodriguez, brushed the issue aside, saying the case was still pending in court.
But Bishop Bagaforo noted that it is time for Marcos Jr. to confront the past by paying what his family owed the Filipino people.
Despite the scandal, Marcos Jr. appears to lead the presidential race with 56 percentage points, according to a poll last month by Pulse Asia. However, support for his main rival, vice president, Leni Robredo, has increased by nine percentage points, from 15 to 24 per cent.
Bishop Bagaforo, noted however, that surveys were never a guarantee that Marcos Jr. could escape his family’s tax liabilities.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
“It does not mean you’re off the hook. You need to set a good example for the Filipino people. You owe it to them, to be honest and be a man of your word,” the bishop said.
