Imelda Marcos runs for Philippines presidency

February 8, 1998
Web posted at: 1:05 p.m. EST (1805 GMT)

MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- Imelda Marcos, who still faces scores of lawsuits for allegedly helping her late husband bilk billions from the Philippine government, on Sunday joined the country's presidential race.

Marcos told supporters she wants to "bring back dignity, decency and leadership to the position."

After officially filing for candidacy, the controversial former first lady walked on her knees inside a nearby cathedral and prostrated herself on the altar.

She cried silently, clutching an ivory rosary, and was surrounded by several nuns.

About 500 supporters, chanting "Imelda, Imelda," accompanied Marcos, 68, to the Manila Cathedral after she submitted her candidacy to the elections commission. Others carried signs reading, "Imelda Marcos save the nation."

Marcos' platform: improving the country's economy. The Philippines has been badly hit by Asia's financial turmoil, which forced a de facto devaluation of the peso in July and slowed down economic growth.

"My decision (to run) was triggered by the economic crisis we now experience ... I want to remove our people from our economic crisis by using the wealth of the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos," she said in a statement, referring to her husband.

"My decision was not inspired by political reasons," Marcos said. "My decision was triggered by the economic crisis we now experience because of wrong economic policies and programs implemented."

She refused to answer questions during the filing or after praying.

In an earlier statement, Marcos said she wants to be president "to ensure that the Marcos wealth through the Marcos Foundation will go directly to the Filipino people."

Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos in an undated photo

She said her husband had bequeathed his worldly possessions to the people.

Marcos did not say why she couldn't use the money -- estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars -- if she is not elected president, or say how she would share it if she does win.

She accused the government of sequestering Marcos assets to enrich ruling politicians.

Marcos became known around the world for her extravagant shopping during Ferdinand Marcos' 20-year dictatorship, and later for her penchant for shoes. She had more than 2,000 pairs.

A member of the Philippines House of Representatives since 1995, Marcos lost a bid for the presidency in May 1992. At that time, current President Fidel Ramos narrowly won the seven-way race.

Marcos will run against several other candidates in what is expected to be a free-wheeling battle where the main issues are official corruption, rampant crime and the economic crisis gripping the country.

Marcos for president 1 min. 49 sec VXtreme video

Opinion surveys rank Vice President and former movie actor Joseph Estrada as the front-runner with others, including the ruling party's candidate, Lower House Speaker Jose de Venecia, trailing far behind.

Also running for president are Manila Mayor and anti-crime fighter Alfredo Lim, former defense chief Renato de Villa, two senators and a businessman.

Mrs. Marcos' candidacy comes a week after the Philippines Supreme Court upheld her 1993 corruption conviction and 12-year prison sentence. She can appeal the ruling one more time, and is free on bond in the meantime.

Ferdinand Marcos was accused of embezzling $5 billion during his 20-year administration. He was ousted in a popular revolt in 1986 and driven into exile in Hawaii, where he died three years later. He and his wife denied any wrongdoing.

The Philippine government has recovered about $941 million of his money and is claiming another $500 million in Marcos' Swiss bank deposits.

The Swiss Federal Tribunal decided in December to transfer the Marcos deposits to an escrow account in the Philippines. The money is to be released to the government in Manila if Marcos is convicted on charges related to the funds.

A group representing about 10,000 Filipinos who won a class-action suit in the United States for human rights violations under Marcos said it will ask the tribunal to set aside at least one-third of the Swiss deposits for indemnification.

They were awarded $2 billion in damages by the U.S. District Court in Hawaii, a decision affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Correspondent Michael Holmes, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• 'People Power' + 10 - March 3, 1996

Related sites:

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• Malacañang - Philippine Government
• The Wit and Wisdom of Imelda Marcos

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