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MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippine anti-corruption court on Friday ordered the arrest of former first lady Imelda Marcos after found guilty of seven counts of corruption over the two decades of reign of her husband and former dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.
PICTURE OF THE FILE: The former First Lady and Congressman of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, greets the supporters as she participates in the announcement of the candidacy for the vice presidency of her son BongBong Marcos , Manila, Philippines, October 10, 2015. REUTERS / Erik De Castro
But Marcos, 89, famous for her huge collection of shoes, jewelry and works of art, can avoid being arrested and stay free if she appeals the decision and if she is denied, she can challenge her before the Supreme Court.
Marcos said in a statement that his lawyer "is studying the decision and he has informed us that he intends to file a motion for reconsideration".
The widow of the late dictator faces dozens of cases of prolonged transplants that have been pursuing her since her family was overthrown during a popular uprising backed by the military in 1986.
The court ordered Marcos, a congressional woman, to serve six to eleven years in prison for each of the seven court clerks. She was accused of making seven bank transfers of a total of $ 200 million to Swiss foundations during her tenure as Governor of Manila.
The court's decision was rendered almost three decades after the case was filed.
According to Sandiganbayan rules, the former first lady has 15 days from the promulgation of the decision to appeal, and the anti-corruption court has 30 days to rule. Marcos can also go directly to the Supreme Court to seek redress. She can also apply for bail.
Marcos, a member of Congress who has been sitting for three terms, is registered as a candidate next May to succeed his daughter, 62-year-old Imee Marcos, as governor of Ilocos Norte, a stronghold of the Marcos family. as powerful.
Imee is running for the Philippine Senate in 2019.
"I hope this decision will be a crucial electoral guide for our constituents in the upcoming elections," said opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros in a statement.
Ferdinand Marcos ruled the Philippines for two decades, placing the country under martial law in 1972, during which thousands of opponents were jailed, killed or disappeared.
He was accused of amassing more than $ 10 billion while he was in office and died in exile in 1989.
President Rodrigo Duterte has good relations with the Marcos family and has often praised the deceased strongman.
Duterte has authorized Marcos' embalmed body to be buried in a special hero cemetery in 2016. The president is often accompanied at official events by Imee Marcos.
Duterte spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement that the ruling against Imelda Marcos was evidence that the executive "is not engaged in undue interference or influence" on the courts. and therefore respect the decision. "
Additional report by Manuel Mogato and Karen Lema; Edited by Martin Petty and Simon Cameron-Moore
