Marcos Seeking to Delay Court Date Until It Warms Up

Former Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos is seeking to postpone an appearance before a federal grand jury, investigating alleged kickbacks on U.S. aid to his homeland, until the weather warms up in Virginia, an aide said Sunday.

Marcos and his wife, Imelda, have been subpoenaed to appear in court in Alexandria, Va., on Jan. 22.

“He’s willing to go, but the problem is it’s too cold for him out there,” said Guillermo Trinidad, a spokesman for the couple, who are in exile in Honolulu. He added:

“If a person can’t take the cold, physically, I don’t see why the court would not give in. I don’t know if it (the cold) would be life-threatening, but it’s beyond just a matter of comfort.”

Some medical sources have said Marcos underwent two kidney operations in recent years.

The Virginia appearance would mark the first time that Marcos or his wife has been questioned in a criminal investigation since they fled the Philippines last February.