Imelda Marcos remains free while appealing his conviction

LEASE ON APPEAL. The Sandiganbayan allowed the former First Lady and Ilocos Norte representative, Imelda Marcos, to be paid bail, while appealing her conviction for 7 counts of corruption. Photo of Jire Carreon / Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court, ruled that a former corruption convict and former first lady, Imelda Marcos, can enjoy freedom while appealing her conviction for 7 counts of corruption.

The 5th Division told reporters on Friday morning, November 30, that the judges had decided on Nov. 28 to grant Marcos reparations following a conviction, including bail on appeal. .

A copy of the resolution was not immediately available to the media, but the court said Marcos "Was required to deposit a cash bond representing double the amount of his initial bond." This means that she will have to pay 300,000 pesos for her bail.

The length of the appeal period will vary depending on the court Marcos chooses to seize.

Marcos may file a motion for reconsideration (MR) in front of Sandiganbayan, whereShe can go directly to the Supreme Court through a notice of appeal to the anti-corruption court.

Newly appointed Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said he has ties to veteran solicitor Estelito Mendoza, a Marcos-era solicitor general who recently practiced as a lawyer for Bongbong and Imee Marcos.

Marcos has already tried to file a notice of appeal, asking Sandiganbayan to transfer his cases to the Supreme Court.

"The rules allow an accused to continue to enjoy bail during the suspension of an appeal or a motion for reconsideration," the court said in its statement to reporters, citing the resolution.

One of the conditions for granting post-conviction reparations, such as bail, is that absence during enactment is warranted.

Marcos was grilled for invoking two contradictory reasons: one, for health reasons, and the other, simply for not knowing the schedule.

The court took note of Marcos' testimony, stating that the absence was due to the second reason and because she had acknowledged that "even though I was sick, I would have come here because 39 is the law.

"Such statements invite the leniency of the Court, considering that in the process, Ms. Marcos has made and is within the scope of the law," said the court.

The court added: "The penal laws being favorable to the accused, justice on the merits requires that Mrs. Marcos be reinstated in her functions and that she is recognized with her right to form a judicial appeal against the judgment of his sentence. "

Marcos was convicted of creating and maintaining Swiss foundations worth $ 200 million, or 10.6 billion pesos, today for the "private benefit" of the company. Old family first.

Marcos announced on Thursday, November 29 that she was withdrawing her candidacy for the governorship of Ilocos Norte, replacing her grandsonMatthew Marcos Manotoc, principal member of the Board of Directors of Ilocos Norte District II, presents himself as governor. – Rappler.com