The reign of dictator Marcos was famous for two things: vicious repression and unfettered excess.
Among the treasures accumulated by the fabulously wealthy Marcos, who obtained his riches by pillaging the state coffers, are paintings by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Michelangelo.
Now, an investigation is underway to try to recover these paintings, which disappeard during the time of the Philippine revolution and the subsequent ouster of Marcos and his wife.
The palace in which the Marcoses lived, held 150 significant or priceless works of art, among other assets.
Just this week, Imelda Marcos' personal secretary was arrested for trying to sell art that had belonged to the Marcoses. However, the authorities are no closer to finding the important pieces of art.
The Marcoses were also the subject of a worldwide hunt for a 10 billion dollar treassure trove, all ammassed by the couple, but the search has stalled due to a lack of state funding.
Many believe that the paintings are still in the Philippines and were taken by people in the Marcoses circle of cronies and associates during the coup that removed the dictator, and are now hidden in private collections, from which they might never see the light of day.
Source: The Indipendent UK/ 1.27.14
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