A Philippine anti-corruption court has ordered the family of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos to surrender eight paintings by famous European artists, saying they had been illegally acquired with public funds.
The paintings include works by Michaelangelo, Pablo Picasso and Francisco de Goya. Among these were “Madonna and Child”, “Femme Couchee VI” and “Portrait of the Marqueza de Sta. Cruz”, the report said.
The court authorized the sheriff’s office to conduct searches of all known offices and residences of the former first lady Imelda Marcos, a sitting lawmaker.
The Philippines estimates that Marcos, his family and cronies amassed more than US$10 billion in cash, jewellery, assets, stocks and works of art during a 20-year rule.
About half this amount has been recovered.
Imelda, 85, famous for her huge collection of designer shoes, has been charged with civil and criminal crimes but has never been convicted.
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