Supreme Court rules PCGG owes no damages on seized Marcos-linked funds

MANILA — In a decision that marks a rare legal victory for the government in its decades-long recovery campaign, the Supreme Court has determined that the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) is not obligated to pay interest or damages related to funds it seized from firms allegedly linked to the late Ferdinand Marcos and his family.

The ruling concerns P110.8 million that the anti-graft agency confiscated from companies associated with Marcos cronies. The decision effectively shields the PCGG from additional financial liability beyond the funds themselves, providing the government with limited protection in what has become a protracted legal battle.

The Supreme Court's determination comes as the PCGG continues its four-decade effort to recover what it contends constitutes ill-gotten wealth amassed during the Marcos regime. The agency has faced numerous legal challenges and counterclaims from various parties disputing the seizures and seeking compensation.

The case underscores the ongoing complexity of asset recovery proceedings in the Philippines, where claims and counterclaims have proliferated through multiple court levels. Legal experts note that while the ruling provides the PCGG temporary relief, the broader effort to identify and recover allegedly stolen state assets remains mired in litigation.