Finally: Imelda Marcos found guilty of graft, sentenced to prison
The Philippines’ anti-corruption court on November 9 ordered the arrest of former first lady Imelda Marcos (89) after finding her guilty on seven counts of graft during the two-decade rule of her late husband and former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. She was charged for making seven bank transfers totaling $200 million to Swiss foundations during her term as Manila governor.
The court’s decision came 27 years after the case was first filed. Marcos faces imprisonment of between six and 11 years for each count of graft – the second time she’s been convicted out of dozens of cases filed against the family.
However, legally Marcos can avoid immediate arrest and remain free if she appeals the decision and if denied, she can challenge it at the Supreme Court. She can also file an application for bail. In a statement, she noted that her lawyer was “studying the decision and he has advised us that he intends to file a motion for reconsideration”.
Marcos, a sitting three-term congresswoman, has registered as a candidate next May 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.
The Marcos family is also a known supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte. The Philippine leader had said that he wants to be succeeded by the late dictator’s son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, who has a pending electoral protest after losing the vice-presidential vote in 2016. Duterte also has the power to pardon Imelda Marcos after a final court ruling.
The Marcos family went into exile in 1986. Imelda Marcos returned to the Philippines in 1991, during the administration of Corazon Aquino, to face more than 100 criminal and civil cases on charges that she and her husband siphoned off up to $10 billion and committed human rights violations during the 20-year dictatorship.
The Philippines’ anti-corruption court on November 9 ordered the arrest of former first lady Imelda Marcos (89) after finding her guilty on seven counts of graft during the two-decade rule of her late husband and former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. She was charged for making seven bank transfers totaling $200 million to Swiss foundations during her term as Manila governor. The court’s decision came 27 years after the case was first filed. Marcos faces imprisonment of between six and 11 years for each count of graft - the second time she’s been convicted out of dozens of cases filed against the...
The Philippines’ anti-corruption court on November 9 ordered the arrest of former first lady Imelda Marcos (89) after finding her guilty on seven counts of graft during the two-decade rule of her late husband and former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. She was charged for making seven bank transfers totaling $200 million to Swiss foundations during her term as Manila governor.
The court’s decision came 27 years after the case was first filed. Marcos faces imprisonment of between six and 11 years for each count of graft – the second time she’s been convicted out of dozens of cases filed against the family.
However, legally Marcos can avoid immediate arrest and remain free if she appeals the decision and if denied, she can challenge it at the Supreme Court. She can also file an application for bail. In a statement, she noted that her lawyer was “studying the decision and he has advised us that he intends to file a motion for reconsideration”.
Marcos, a sitting three-term congresswoman, has registered as a candidate next May 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.
The Marcos family is also a known supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte. The Philippine leader had said that he wants to be succeeded by the late dictator’s son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, who has a pending electoral protest after losing the vice-presidential vote in 2016. Duterte also has the power to pardon Imelda Marcos after a final court ruling.
The Marcos family went into exile in 1986. Imelda Marcos returned to the Philippines in 1991, during the administration of Corazon Aquino, to face more than 100 criminal and civil cases on charges that she and her husband siphoned off up to $10 billion and committed human rights violations during the 20-year dictatorship.
