A judge in Honolulu has awarded the Philippine government millions of dollars in jewelry and currency seized when President Ferdinand Marcos and his family arrived here in exile in 1986.
U.S. District Judge Harold Fong ruled Friday against Roger Roxas, a Philippine citizen who claimed the Marcos regime had stolen a fabled one-ton "Golden Buddha" statue Roxas said he found in the Philippines in 1971.Fong said Roxas wasn't entitled to the property seized from Marcos and his family because he hadn't proved it included items from his excavation.
Imelda Marcos, the president's widow, gave up her claim to all of the property last year.
The Marcoses and their 90-member entourage arrived in February 1986 carrying suitcases of Philippine currency and 328 pieces of jewelry, including diamond tiaras, necklaces and brooches. All were seized by U.S. Customs agents.