Imelda’s Paintings & Jewelry Under Scrutiny
The Philippines is to launch a crowd-sourcing website to seek public help in a fresh attempt to track down up to 200 missing artworks, including several masterpieces, that were last believed to be in the possession of Imelda Marcos. The widow of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was most notorious for her lavish designer shoe collection, but she and her husband also amassed troves of art and jewellery worth hundreds of millions of dollars during their reign. The works that are unaccounted for include paintings by Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt and Michelangelo. In related news, The Philippines government will decide whether to auction Imelda’s collection of tiaras, brooches, necklaces and earrings, including a rare, barrel-shaped pink Indian diamond, after it receives a just-completed valuation. Mrs Marcos, 86, who is a serving member of Congress and often posed for photographs at home with her treasured paintings, has indignantly insisted that the works were gifts rather than acquired with stolen state funds. Yeah, right. She also continues to insist that her family’s wealth was gained honorably and did not come from the billions in aid provided by the US government when her husband was the country’s leader. If you believe that one you need to see a psychiatrist pronto.
