Imelda threatened with contempt

Imelda threatened with contempt

MANILA (Reuters): A Philippine Senate panel threatened on Monday to cite former first lady Imelda Marcos for contempt after she refused to identify businessmen allegedly acting as trustees of the family's fabled fortune.

The 69-year-old widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, testifying in a formal inquiry on the Marcos riches, acknowledged her family could be worth over 500 billion pesos (US$12.5 billion) but refused to give details on where the money was and who might be keeping it.

Imelda was testifying for the first in a formal Philippine investigation on the Marcos wealth, which has continued to intrigue the nation 12 years after a popular revolt toppled the dictator from 20 years in power.

Imelda Marcos was questioned for more than five hours by the Senate's blue ribbon (investigating) and banking committees to explain published claims that her family was the rightful owner of 500 billion pesos worth of shares in top Philippine companies.