Lagman says warrant of arrest vs. Imelda ‘a matter of course’

The issuance of an arrest warrant against Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos should only be a matter of course following the forfeiture of the bail bond she posted and her absence in the promulgation of the decision on her case.

Opposition lawmaker Albay Representative Edcel Lagman made the remark after the Sandiganbayan has deferred the issuance of warrant of arrest against the former First Lady.

"Since the Sandiganbayan has forfeited the bail bond of Representative Imelda Marcos for her and her lawyer’s unjustified failure to appear during the promulgation of the decision in her graft cases, the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the anti-graft court against Marcos is a matter of course," Lagman, a lawyer himself, told reporters.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Friday found Marcos guilty of seven counts of graft over her alleged financial interests in Swiss-based foundations during her time 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 and was perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

Marcos was absent during the promulgation of the decision on her graft case, which caused the bail bond she posted on the cases where she was convicted to be forfeited.

"The forfeiture of Marcos’ bail bond quashed her temporary liberty and justifies her arrest and detention pending the restoration of her bail bond or her posting of a new one subject to the discretion of the Sandiganbayan," Lagman said.

Due to her failure to attend the promulgation of judgment, the Sandiganbayan was forced to compel Marcos to explain her “unjustified” absence within 30 days.

Rule 120 of the Rules of Court on Criminal Procedure states that an accused loses the chance to seek available remedies if he or she was absent during the promulgation of judgment without justification.

An accused, nonetheless, can file a motion for leave of court within 15 days from promulgation explaining the absence.

In a statement following her conviction, Marcos said her lawyer is considering filing a motion for reconsideration to the Sandiganbayan's guilty verdict. —NB, GMA News