COURT ORDERS ARREST OF IMELDA MARCOS
Ex-Philippine first lady faces up to 77 years’ jail for graft
TCHRIS LEWA, director of the Arakan Project HE Philippines’ anticorruption court yesterday ordered the arrest of former first lady Imelda Marcos after finding her guilty on seven counts of graft during the two-decade rule of her husband and former dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.
Imelda, 89, famous for a huge collection of shoes, jewellery and artwork, is facing dozens of protracted graft cases that have hounded her since her family was toppled in an armybacked popular uprising in 1986.
The court ordered Imelda, a congresswoman, to serve six to 11 years in jail for each of the seven counts of graft.
She was charged with making seven bank transfers totalling US$200 million (RM800 million) to Swiss foundations during her term as Manila governor.
Imelda and her representatives did not attend the legal hearing yesterday.
She could not be reached for comment, and text messages and phone calls to her lawyer were not answered.
The arrest warrant may not be executed immediately because Imelda can appeal the ruling by the Sandiganbayan court, a prosecutor said.
“She can elevate it to the Supreme Court if she sees grave abuse of discretion in the Sandiganbayan’s decision.
“So this is not yet final and executory,” said assistant special prosecutor Ryan Quilala, adding that she could also file for an application for bail.
Under the rules of the Sandiganbayan, the former first lady has 15 days from promulgation of the ruling to file an appeal, and the anti-graft court has 30 days to decide on it.
Imelda may also go straight to Supreme Court to seek relief.
Imelda, who is serving her third straight term as a member of Congress, has registered to contest an election to succeed her daughter, Imee Marcos, 62, as governor of Ilocos Norte, the stronghold of the still powerful Marcos family.
Imee is running for the Philippine Senate in 2019.
“I hope this ruling would serve as a crucial electoral guide to our voters this coming election,” opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said in a statement.
Ferdinand ruled the Philippines for two decades, placing the country under martial law in 1972, during which thousands of opponents were jailed, killed or disappeared.
He was accused of amassing more than US$10 billion while in office and died in exile in 1989.
President Rodrigo Duterte enjoys good ties with the Marcos family and has often praised the late strongman.
Duterte allowed Marcos’ embalmed body to be buried at a special heroes’ cemetery in 2016, and the president is often accompanied at official events by Imee Marcos.
Duterte’s spokesman, Salvador Panelo, said the ruling against Imelda was proof that the executive “is not in the business of exerting undue interference or influence” on courts, and therefore respects the decision”.