A Man of Many Parts

By PAUL GRAY/

Ferdinand Marcos never publicly admitted to the two kidney transplants he received in the early 1980s, and only a few intimates and family retainers knew anything about the operations. Now, with the old dictator safely gone, some details are surfacing, including the identity of the donors. The first kidney, transplanted in August 1983, came from a soldier in Marcos' presidential security command. This organ was rejected, leaving the Filipino leader fighting for his life just as his exiled rival Ninoy Aquino was returning to Manila (and assassination). Another transplant was performed in November 1984; the donor this time was the 22-year-old son of Marcos' longtime masseur. According to old Marcos loyalists, both young men were happy to serve their leader in such a direct manner.

With reporting by DAVID ELLIS