Palace: Imelda Marcos not immune from arrest

Malacañang said former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos is not immune from arrest should a court issue an arrest warrant against her.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Singapore, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that President Rodrigo Duterte is not one who will stop the police from performing their job.

“Nobody is stopping the police from arresting her. If there’s a warrant of arrest, this President will tell you, do your job,” he said.

The Fifth Division of the Sandiganbayan has convicted Marcos of seven counts of graft and sentenced her to six up to 11 years in prison for each count for establishing seven Swiss foundations for her financial gain.

But the same court deferred issuing a warrant of arrest after Marcos' camp filed a motion to avail of remedies.

Panelo said he did not want to hazard a guess as to whether President Duterte will pardon Mrs. Marcos, whose family is said to be closed to the President.

He said it is up to the President if he wants to pardon the 89-year old Marcos.

“Diskarte ng Presidente ‘yan. Lahat ng president will have to reply on their own discretion,” Panelo said.

Panelo also interpreted what PNP Chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said that the PNP will consider Marcos’ age if and when a warrant has to be effected.

He said that the PNP might just be gentle with the former first lady.

“Unlike ‘yung mga inaaresto mong basta mo na lang hihilahin, hindi naman pupwede ‘yun, matanda na. Baka hindi na niya alam di ba? Pag inaresto na, i-coconsider kung saan siya ilalagay. Our prisons are filthy,” Panelo said. — BAP, GMA News