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FORMER Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos said yesterday she was willing to pay $150 million to alleged victims of human rights abuses during her husband's rule "out
of compassion, not guilt".
A US federal jury in 1994 ordered the estate of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos to pay 10,000 victims $2 billion in damages.
The victims later said they were prepared to settle for a lesser amount to avoid protracted court battles.
Mrs. Marcos told reporters she was willing to pay $150 million in a settlement proposed by the victims.
"My reason for agreeing to settle has always been out of compassion, not guilt," added Mrs. Marcos, who denies her husband was responsible for any military abuses
during his 20-year dictatorship.
The victims' Filipino lawyer, Rod Domingo, welcomed Marcos's statement but said the release of the money would still need the approval of the government which is also
claiming the assets of the former president.
The government has accused Marcos and his associates of stealing billions of dollars from the treasury during his rule.
The Marcos family denies any wrongdoing.
"The only problem we have here is, is the government amenable to put to rest this particular issue?" Domingo told Reuters.
US lawyer Robert Swift, chief counsel of the victims, is in Manila to seek a meeting with President Estrada on the victims' compensation demand.
Swift on Monday said the victims might demand more compensation if the Estrada administration did not agree to a settlement soon.
The $150 million the victims are claiming is expected to come from the estimated $550 million to $600 million deposited by Marcos in Swiss banks which Switzerland has
transferred to an escrow account at the Philippine National Bank.
Swiss authorities have set two conditions for the funds' release: the Manila government obtain a court judgment that it is entitled to the money and that part of it be
given to the victims.
Marcos was overthrown in a popular revolt in 1986 and died three years later in exile in Hawai.
Reuters
Journal, September 9, 1998
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