Imee Marcos on Botong's 'Camote Diggers': 'Kung paano nawala, wala na akong alam'

Senator-elect Imee Marcos said Tuesday she was not aware of how the "Camote Diggers," the last and unfinished painting of National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco was removed from Malacañang.

“Oo, naibigay talaga ‘yun ni Mrs. Francisco sa aking mga magulang. Nakasabit ‘yun sa Malacañang. Last ko nakita yun andun pa. Kung paano nawala wala na akong alam,” she told reporters when asked on the matter.

Shortly before fetching P23.4 million at Leon Gallery's mid-year auction, "Camote Diggers" became the subject of controversy, with Francisco's heirs sending an "urgent" letter to Mrs. Marcos through their counsel Atty. Arnel Victor Valeña.

RELATED: Botong's work 'Camote Diggers' auctioned off amid looming controversy

In the letter, Valeña wanted to know how the painting landed in the auction house when it is supposedly in Malacañang, a gift from Botong’s widow Rosalina to the Filipino people through the Marcoses after Botong passed away in 1969.

“Now they (Francisco family) have thought about writing to you to shed light on the painting’s history, and have asked for my assistance in writing to you formally. We are hoping you could clarify how the painting came to be removed from Malacanañg, how it came to be housed in BSP and Yuchengco Museum, and why it is now being auctioned by Leon Gallery,” Valeña's letter reads.

When asked if she knew the painting was up for auction, Marcos said the lawyer of Francisco’s widow told her about it.

“Nasabihan ako ng abogado ni Mrs. Francisco,” she said.

RELATED: Botong’s ‘Camote Diggers’ to be donated to a museum, Leon Gallery says

On Monday, Leon Gallery said the masterpiece will be donated to a museum, "the first time that a work that has been successfully auctioned will be donated to an institution." — LA, GMA News