Sandigan to start forwarding records of Imelda Marcos’ graft case to SC

The Sandiganbayan has started the process of forwarding records in the graft case of Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos to the Supreme Court, where she will challenge her conviction for allegedly creating Swiss foundations to benefit her family.

The Fifth Division confirmed on Tuesday that Marcos’ notice of appeal has been “given due course.”

It said the records are being photocopied for the Sandiganbayan archives, but the original copies will be immediately transmitted to the SC upon completion.

This development comes after the Sandiganbayan granted the motion of Marcos to avail of post-conviction remedies, allowing the 89-year-old widow of former President Ferdinand Marcos to either appeal her conviction at the anti-graft court or raise her case to the SC.

The Sandiganbayan had also ordered Marcos to post a P300,000 bail for her temporary freedom as she challenges her guilty verdict. She paid the cash bond on December 5.

According to the resolution, the “advanced age” and “health reasons” of Marcos were enough reasons to give her the right to provisional liberty.

Marcos 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.

Marcos informed the Sandiganbayan that she will elevate her case to the SC, calling the decision “contrary to facts, law, and jurisprudence.”

Marcos has withdrawn her election bid as Ilocos Norte governor in the 2019 polls and was replaced by her grandson, Matthew Marcos Manotoc. — MDM, GMA News