
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 22, 1991                   TAG: 9103220338
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: MANILA, PHILIPPINES                                LENGTH: Short

MARCOS MAY RETURN, AQUINO SAYS

President Corazon Aquino said Thursday that her government will allow Imelda Marcos to return to the Philippines - but Marcos will face charges if she does.

Aquino said Philippine officials would file charges against Marcos as part of efforts to recover money allegedly stashed in Swiss banks by Marcos and her late husband, former President Ferdinand Marcos.

"Once the charges are filed, she will be allowed to return to face these charges and defend herself," Aquino said.

Marcos applied for a passport in New York on Thursday, saying she wanted permission to bury her husband's remains in their homeland. Her application was denied, but it was made before Aquino's announcement.

James Linn, Marcos' lawyer, said she was pleased Philippine authorities say she can go home.

"Even if they arrest her when she gets off the plane, she will go at the earliest opportunity," he said. "She would welcome the oppportunity to go home and defend herself." - Associated Press

by CNB