Philippines to sell Marcos' jewellery

A 25-carat, barrel-shaped diamond worth at least $US5 million and a Cartier diamond tiara that once belonged to Imelda Marcos will be sold at auction.

The jewellery of late Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos' widow Imelda will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Experts estimate the baubles are now worth at least $A30 million.

The hoard was seized by the Philippine government when Marcos and his family fled to Hawaii in 1986 after a popular revolt that ended his two decades in power.

They include a 25-carat, barrel-shaped diamond worth at least $US5 million and a Cartier diamond tiara that is now many times more valuable than the previous estimate of $US30,000 to $US50,000.

Andrew de Castro of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, an agency which recovers the Marcoses' ill-gotten wealth, said they hope to hold an exhibit and auction before the end of President Benigno Aquino III's term in June.

A portion of the collection seized at the presidential palace when the Marcoses fled, however, is still being contested in court. Other pieces of jewellery were seized in Hawaii and at Manila's airport.