Former first lady Imelda Marcos to appeal Sandiganbayan ruling convicting her for graft

(FILES) This file photo taken on May 5, 2016 shows Philippines’ former first lady Imelda Marcos waving to the crowd as she arrives for her son vice-presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s “miting-de-avance” in Manila. – Imelda Marcos was found guilty of corruption on November 9, 2018 and ordered arrested for her alleged financial interests and management of several Swiss foundations (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

 

(Eagle News) — Former First Lady Imelda Marcos said that her lawyers will appeal the Sandiganbayan ruling that convicted her for graft on seven counts for her alleged financial interests and management in several Swiss foundations allegedly used to funnel roughly $200 million decades ago.

The 89-year old widow of the late President Ferdinand Marcos said that her camp just received a copy of the Sandiganbayan’s fifth division, and that her lawyer on record is currently confined at the Asian Hospital.

She said that retired Court of Appeals justice Manuel “Lolong” Lazaro will handle her case and will be the one to file the appeal.

“We have just received a copy of the Decision of the Sandiganbayan’s 5th Division which was promulgated on November 9, 2018. Unfortunately, my Attorney of record, Atty Robert Sison, has been indisposed and is presently confined at the Asian Hospital,” said Marcos who is also the incumbent Ilocos Norte representative.

“Justice Lolong Lazaro, who has previously appeared as counsel in this case, will act as my counsel in the interim. He is presently studying the decision and has advised us that he intends to file a Motion for Reconsideration,” she said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the Palace would not in any way interfere in the case.

“The Executive Branch is not in the business of exerting undue interference or influence in the affairs of another separate and independent branch of the government,” Panelo said.

“As such, we manifest our respect for the decision of the Sandiganbayan finding former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos guilty of the seven out of the ten cases filed against her,” he said.

The Sandiganbayan found Mrs. Marcos guilty of graft in seven of 10 counts in connection with her alleged financial interests in several Swiss foundations allegedly handling Marcos accounts.

She was sentenced to six to 11 years for each count, or a total of 42 to 77 years imprisonment.

The Sandiganbayan case first filed in December 1991, or almost 27 years ago, was in connection with Mrs. Marcos’ alleged participation in the management of the Swiss foundations, namely Vibur Foundation, Maler Establishment, Trinidad Foundation, Rayby Foundation, Palmy Foundation, Aguamina Foundation, and Avertina Foundation from 1978 to 1984.

Ferdinand Marcos, who along with his cronies was accused of pilfering $10 billion from the Philippines, fled with his family to the US after a people’s uprising ended his 20-year rule in 1986.

Marcos died in 1989 while still in exile. But his heirs later returned to Manila and have since staged a political comeback.

As a government official in the Marcos administration, Imelda was barred by law from having any outside financial interests, including in the Swiss foundations.

“The couple opened all those accounts in Switzerland, and they used pseudonyms to hide their ownership. The president chose William Saunders and Imelda Marcos used Jane Ryan,” special prosecutor Ryan Quilala told reporters.

(with reports from Eagle News Service reporter Moira Encina, and Agence France Presse )