Marcos Denies That He or Wife Secretly Bought U.S. Real Estate

President Ferdinand E. Marcos on Saturday flatly denied allegations that he or his wife have secretly invested hundreds of millions of dollars in American real estate, adding that he has no idea how much he is worth because all his assets are in a blind trust created before he became president 20 years ago.

“This is an honest blind trust,” he said. “I do not know, therefore, how much is there. But we had a substantial beginning”--an amount he said was from his former law practice.

Marcos, who, along with his wife, Imelda, are the subjects of an ongoing congressional investigation in Washington into allegations that the Philippine first family secretly diverted vast government funds to purchase commericial buildings and a mansion for themselves in New York, added that he did file an official document listing his personal properties with “proper authorities” in Manila.

The president declined to discuss those assets Saturday because, he said, it would simply feed “the rumormongers” in the opposition.

Marcos’ comments on a wide range of pre-election issues came during a press conference he called specifically to deny what he termed “black propaganda, rumormongering” and “dirty tricks” by opposition presidential candidate Corazon Aquino and her aides.

Specifically, Marcos denied widespread speculation that the 68-year-old president, who many believe is weak and sick, plans to substitute his wife as the presidential candidate on the last day of the campaign for the Feb. 7 special presidential election.

During the one-hour press conference, Marcos appeared stronger, sharper and more quick-witted than in any of his frequent campaign appearances. When asked about rumors that he is suffering from a fatal kidney disease, replied, “The rumor started three years ago. I was supposed to die in six months. I should have died by now.

“I am not sick with any serious ailment,” Marcos added before he went on to say his blood pressure is 120 over 80 and his pulse rate is 68 to 74 per minute. “I do have asthma. I recently caught a cold. My voice became hoarse. But I kept on campaigning anyway and occasionally exercising.

“I am strong.”

Marcos also said that he has ordered an investigation by Philippine diplomats in the United States to determine “who is orchestrating” the rumors--specifically allegations about his hidden wealth and recent reports that he was actually not a celebrated guerrilla fighter and war hero during World War II, as he has claimed throughout his two decades in office.

“We feel there is somebody behind all of this, and they may be based here in the Philippines,” Marcos said.

Asked how his government will treat those in the opposition who have been critical of him during the campaign if he is reelected, the president said, “If they are Communists, they’ll be wiped out.” He did not elaborate.

Throughout the campaign, Marcos has implied that Aquino, his opponent, is naive about communism and would allow Communists in her Cabinet if elected, and there have been reports of Aquino aides planning to flee the country if she loses.

Marcos seemed particularly sensitive in parrying questions on his war record, at one point saying, “I don’t want to talk about it, really,” later adding, “I have no intention of defending myself on this issue.”

On the election itself, Marcos said he has ordered his party workers to refrain from fraud, violence and harassment during the campaign and on voting day.

“They will obey the order,” Marcos pledged, adding that the Philippine military has already disarmed many of his own supporters in the rural provinces, where, traditionally, at least 100 people are killed during every election.

If his opponent Aquino, who is the widow of slain opposition leader Benigno S. Aquino Jr., wins the election, Marcos vowed to use his position to bring about “a peaceful transition” of power, and he said that the entire 200,000-member Philippine military “will support a legitimately elected president, whoever he may be.”