The spokesperson of presumptive President Bongbong Marcos Jr., has challenged former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chief Andres Bautista to formally file charges in court over the alleged missing Picasso masterpiece found hanging in a Marcos’ home.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Atty. Vic Rodriguez said the burden of proof lies in the accuser as per our Constitution.
“Sa ating Saligang Batas, kung sino ang nag-aakusa, kung sino ang gumagawa ng alegasyon ay siyang dapat magpatunay,” said Rodriguez, who is both Marcos Jr.’s lawyer and spokesperson.
Earlier, the alleged missing Picasso painting became a trending topic on Twitter after netizens asked Bautista if this is the piece spotted on the wall of former First Lady Imelda Marcos’ home during Bongbong and Sandro’s visit which was captured in a now-viral photo.
Bautista replied in the affirmative by making a thumbs up and added, “This painting was also captured on #TheKingmaker.”
But Rodriguez chided Bautista for making unfounded accusations against the Marcoses on media. He also dared the former PCGG chairman to instead come home and face his own charges here.
“If you have something, come over. The courts are open. Hindi puwede ‘yung in the comfort of wherever you are… you keep harping allegations left and right,” Rodriguez said.
Bautista is reportedly currently staying in an undisclosed location in the United States.
In an early interview, Rodriguez said it would be fair for the Filipino people if Bautista make his allegations here in person so the latter can also be made “accountable for the many misdeeds and allegations as to the conduct of the 2016 elections.”
Rodriguez was referring to allegations that Bautista had a hand in the 2016 vice presidential poll results where Marcos lost to Robredo by a mere 200,000 votes when he was still the Comelec chairman.
But Rodriguez, when pressed for further questions by reporters about the ‘missing Picasso’ piece – Femme Couche VI (Reclining Woman VI) – valued at P8-B, declined to answer and said he has yet to discuss the issue with the Marcos family.
The Picasso masterpiece, according to Bautista in a CNN Philippines interview, was one of the more than 300 prized paintings bought using Marcos’ alleged ill gotten wealth, with 156 of them still being searched by the PCGG in 2015.