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A TASTE OF JUSTICE

Militant solons: Will Imelda Marcos ever see a prison cell?


Although long overdue, militant lawmakers hailed the decision of the Sandiganbayan that found former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos guilty of graft.

However, they asked:  Will government prosecutors see this case through and give Marcos her first jail experience?

The anti-graft court's Fifth Division found Marcos guilty for seven counts of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in connection with her alleged financial interests in Swiss-based foundation during her term as Minister of Human Settlements and interim member of Congress

She was sentenced to a minimum of six years and one month to a maximum prison sentence of 11 years "for each count" of graft.

"The decision is too little, too late, or that much of the massive ill-gotten wealth remains in the hands of the Marcoses.  Nevertheless, a guilty verdict is a guilty verdict. . . .  It gives us a taste of justice," ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio said.

"It remains to be seen whether this decision will stand or be overturned on appeal; whether Marcos will ever see the inside of a jail cell and be forever barred from public office.  The courts owe it to the people to ensure that Imelda Marcos be held accountable," Tinio added.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Tom Villarin said the conviction was "a clear and unequivocal proof" that Marcos was part of the "conjugal dictatorship" that plundered the country three decades ago.

"It is lady justice catching up with history. The decision is a welcome relief and mitigates the pain of the past. But only a full and voluntary acknowledgment by the Marcoses of their deeds can we say that closure is coming," he said.

Villarin said Marcos should not be given any special treatment.

"The 89-year old Marcos can’t invoke age nor humanitarian grounds for her not to serve the sentence. She should be arrested and photos of her being brought to justice made public. As a sitting member of the House of Representatives and now running for governor in Ilocos Norte, she can’t have the best of all worlds," he said.

Bayan Muna Rep.Carlos Zarate said the verdict "puts to rest the Marcos family's contention that it has not amassed ill-gotten wealth."

"Many would be happy with this decision but it would be better if the Marcoses also return all their ill-gotten wealth to the Filipino people," he said.

Bayan Muna party-list chairperson Neri Colmenares said "jail has long been waiting for her and their cronies."

"Though much delayed, this is still a victory for the nation especially the victims of the reign of plunder and terror by the Marcoses," Colmenares, who was imprisoned and tortured during the martial law years, said.

Colmenares urged the courts not to accord any VIP treatment to Marcos.

"She cannot avail of the probation law because the penalty carried by her case is more than 6 years," he added.

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao said the verdict could be a precedent to run after the Marcoses for their other graft cases.

"Crime does not pay," ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said, adding that the courts should also look into the cases of the other members of the Marcos family.

Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago said the decision should be swiftly implemented, which would lead to the arrest of Marcos.

"We, likewise, call on everyone to hold the rest of the Marcos family accountable for perpetuating and repeating their parents' crimes as they seek to one again amass power and wealth in their incumbent positions and in the upcoming elections," Elago said. — LDF, GMA News

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