FACT CHECK | Invoice of Imelda Marcos’ jewelry spree amounting to $1.43 million is true

April 4, 2022 , 04:09 PM

(April 4, 2022) – A copy of an invoice for the items bought by former first lady Imelda Marcos from a high-class jewelry store in New York in 1978 amounting to $1.43 million is being circulated on social media.

This is true.

CLAIM:

Marcos, who’s known for her lavish lifestyle, bought expensive items from Bulgari. As shown in the invoice, she bought a platinum and emerald bracelet, an 18-karat gold ring with diamonds, and a pearl necklace, among other extravagant pieces.

Vilma Bautista, Marcos’ secretary, purchased the grand jewelry on her behalf, as indicated in the document. In total, the order reached $1.43 million or P74 million at today’s exchange rate.

RATING: True

FACTS:

The invoice was sourced from a photo from Getty Images, an international visual media outlet. It was taken by photojournalist Alex Bowie in February 1986. The exact link to the photo is also included on the circulating posts.

“The bill was among documents found at the back of Malacañang Palace, Manila, on the night the Marcos family fled into exile in Hawaii, 25th February 1986,” read the caption of the photo.

Of the items bought by Marcos, the platinum and emerald bracelet was the priciest at $1.15 million or P59 million. Marcos’ 18-karat gold earrings with rubies, diamonds, and black pearls were sold to her at a special price of $30,000 or P1.54 million.

The ear clip with gold and diamond was bought for $78,000 or P4 million, the 18-karat gold ring with diamonds at $70,000 or P3.6 million, the pearl necklace at $35,000 or P1.8 million, and the 18-karat gold and diamond ring at $68,000 or about P3.5 million.

All are based on the current exchange rate.

The invoice also surfaced on social media in 2016 when her son, former senator Bongbong Marcos Jr. ran for vice president. He lost to Vice President Leni Robredo.

Bautista was convicted by the State Supreme Court in Manhattan for conspiring to sell masterpieces that belong to the Philippine government, citing “overwhelming evidence” in 2014. She’s also convicted of tax fraud.

READ: Stolen art sale gets Imelda Marcos ex-aide six years in New York prison

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Marcos was convicted by the Sandiganbayan of seven counts of graft in 2018 for funneling around $200 million worth of funds to Swiss foundations at the height of their power. She was allowed to post a bail of P300,000 and remains free.

Various records also estimate that their family stole $5 million to $10 million from public coffers during their heavy-handed rule. So far, the Presidential Commission on Good Government has retrieved P174 billion while P125 billion more are still under litigation more than three decades since their shameful ouster.

Despite these, many Filipinos still believe that the Marcoses did not steal from the government, with the late dictator’s son, running for president in the 2022 elections, consistently dominating the surveys.

They have also yet to pay their estate tax, which is estimated to have ballooned to P203 billion.

ABS-CBN, which is also part of Facts First PH, also released a fact-check report on this matter.

News 5 is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, e-mail info@factsfirst.ph.

Message News 5’s Facebook page if you want to have any claims fact-checked. Read our fact-checking policy here.

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