Robredo happy about Imelda Marcos' conviction but sad about P150,000 bail

Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday said she was happy about former First Lady Imelda Marcos' conviction, but sad about her P150,000 bail.

"Ako, nakakalungkot. Masaya tayo kasi kahit napakatagal na panahon, nabigyan pa din ng katarungan iyong taumbayan. Pero iyong nakakalungkot, kasi pinapakita natin na hindi pantay iyong katarungan, iyong pag-dispense ng justice," Robredo said.

"Parang— Ano ba iyong implication nito sa mga kababayan natin? Kapag may pera ka, o mataas iyong estado mo sa buhay, makakatakas ka sa kaparusahan? Pero iyong mga mahihirap, na mas maliit iyong mga pagkakasalang nagawa, nagsa-suffer ng imprisonment," she added.

"Pero ito, ang laki ng nanakaw sa taumbayan, hindi mapaparusahan," Robredo added.

The vice president made the comments when interviewed by reporters during her visit to the San Remigio Mental Health Facility in San Remigio, Cebu on Saturday morning.

Last week, the Sandiganbayan found the former First Lady guilty of graft in connection with her alleged financial interests in Swiss-based foundations during her time as Minister of Human Settlements and interim member of Congress.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division found Marcos guilty for seven counts of violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. 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 court allowed her to post a P150,000 bail on Friday pending its ruling on her motion seeking post-conviction remedies.

The vice president said the amount of bail set was too small considering the amount of money allegedly stolen by the Marcoses.

"Iyong P150,000 na bail, napakaliit considering the enormity noong ninakaw," she said.

Robredo added that the amount is just a pittance to Marcos.

"Pangalawa, barya lang iyon sa kaniya, eh. Barya lang iyong 150,000 [pesos]," she said.

"Abogado din ako sa mga mahihirap, nakita ko kung paano, for P10,000 na bail, isasangla noong mga kliyente ko iyong mga kaunting ari-arian nila o mangungutang sa iba para lang maka-come up with that. Tapos itong napakayaman, parang nilibre mo na lang. And iyong nakakalungkot, kasi after conviction. Ito talaga, sana ma-correct, sana ma-correct iyong kamalian na ito, kasi hindi talaga— Iyong victims nito, parang... nabiktima na nga iyong taumbayan, mabibiktima ulit dahil sa improper dispensation ng justice," she added.

Robredo also took exception to the fact that Marcos was not present during her promulgation and even went to a party.

"In fact, iyong pinaka-insulto sa atin, kasi iyong the day na lumabas iyong conviction, nag-party pa. Pero iyong dahilan niya nga kung bakit hindi siya naka-attend noong conviction, may sakit siya. Parang nagiging mockery iyong justice system," she said.

Marcos on Friday told the Sandiganbayan that she was not able to attend last week's promulgation because she was not aware of it, despite her motion citing health issues as reason for her absence.

However, Marcos said in her affidavit that she had no information about the promulgation since the notice was received by her cook.

Marcos replied she had to attend the party because her daughter, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, was “begging” and “crying” for her to attend the event held in San Juan.

“I only attended, your honor, because my eldest daughter, it was her birthday,” the 89-year-old former First Lady said.

Robredo however is hoping the Sandiganbayan will dispense justice in a fair manner.

"Inaasahan natin na, ano pa din, because of the conviction, ipakita pa din ng Sandiganbayan sa taumbayan na hindi siya namimili. Kung paano niya i-treat iyong mahihirap, sana ganoon din iyong pag-treat sa lahat. Kung paano niya i-treat iyong mayayaman, sana ganoon din iyong pag-treat sa mahihirap. Kasi kapag hindi niya iyon ginawa, na-e-erode iyong trust and confidence natin sa justice system," she said. —KG, GMA News