Sandigan allows Marcos to post bail
MANILA — Sandiganbayan has allowed convicted Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos to post bail for her temporary liberty.
The anti-graft court allowed Marcos to put up a P150,000 bail for her provisional liberty while the court is yet to decide on whether she would be allowed to file a postconviction bond.
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division found the widow of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos guilty beyond reasonable doubt of seven counts of graft. She was sentenced to suffer a maximum penalty of 77 years imprisonment.
The Philippine Star reported that the court has also yet to rule on whether the Ilocos Norte lawmaker would be allowed to file a motion for reconsideration on her conviction.
During the hearing yesterday, Marcos changed her earlier reason why she failed to attend the promulgation of her case last week.
She claimed that she was not aware that her graft cases were set for promulgation.
"If I knew about it your honor, I would have been here. Even if I was sick, I would have come here," she told the court.
She further claimed that she only found out about the promulgation of her cases upon watching the news on television, adding that she was feeling ill when she woke up last Friday.
This reasoning, however, was not mentioned when her legal counsel filed for a Motion for Leave of Court to Avail of Post Conviction Remedies last Monday.
The former first lady had earlier claimed she was "suffering from multiple organ infirmities" on why she missed the reading of her verdict.
Despite her supposed health condition, Marcos was seen attending the birthday party of her daughter Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos in San Juan City hours after her conviction.