Sandigan allows Imelda to stay free while appealing conviction

The Sandiganbayan has allowed Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos to post bail for her temporary freedom as she pursues legal remedies to her graft conviction.

The 5th Division set Mrs. Marcos' bail to P300,000, or double the amount of her original bond of P150,000.

According to the statement, Sandiganbayan justices granted Mrs. Marcos' "Motion for Leave to Avail of Post Conviction Remedies" in a resolution dated November 28, 2018.

Citing the resolution, the statement noted that court rules " allow an accused to continue enjoying provisional liberty during the pendency of an appeal or a motion for reconsideration." 

To challenge her conviction, the widow of the late President Ferdinand Marcos can either file a motion for reconsideration with the Sandiganbayan or a notice of appeal informing the anti-graft court of her intention to bring the case before the Supreme Court.

The 5th Division gave Mrs. Marcos 15 days to avail of post-conviction remedies, although she has already filed a notice of appeal on November 27 requesting the Sandiganbayan to provide the SC records of her graft case.

The 5th Division had called the appeal premature since there is no ruling yet on the request of Mrs. Marcos for remedies.

The 89-year-old former First Lady was found guilty of seven counts of graft for creating and managing foundations in Switzerland that earned interest for the benefit of her family. She was sentenced to six to 11 years imprisonment for each count.

The crime took place during her term as Minister of Human Settlements, Metro Manila Governor, and interim member of Congress from 1978 to 1984.

The Sandiganbayan allowed Marcos, who skipped her promulgation, to post bail in the sum of P150,000 on November 16 pending resolution of her motion seeking post-conviction remedies. The bond is the same amount Marcos forfeited due to her verdict. —KBK, GMA News