Press Release
November 16, 2018

Imelda Marcos' conviction a welcome relief to struggle for justice - De Lima

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has welcomed the Sandiganbayan's ruling convicting former First Lady and current Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos for her financial interests in several Swiss-based foundations during the Marcos administration.

De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, considered the decision as "a welcome relief" in the Filipino people's long and tedious struggle to make the Marcoses and their cohorts accountable for their crimes.

"Sa kabila ng matinding kadiliman, may naaaninag at umuusbong na liwanag. Ito ang liwanag ng hustisyang nakamit ng sambayanang Pilipino [m]atapos mahatulang may sala ng Sandiganbayan 5th Division si Imelda Marcos sa mga kaso ng katiwalian," she said in a statement.

After 27 years since the filing of the case, the Sandiganbayan 5th Division has found the Marcoses' matriarch guilty on seven counts of graft for using her Cabinet position to maintain Swiss bank accounts during their family's rule.

According to the decision, Marcos is also perpetually disqualified from holding public office. She is now serving her third straight term as a representative of Ilocos Norte and is running for Ilocos Norte governor in next year's midterm elections.

While Marcos was ordered by the anti-corruption court's 5th Division to serve six to 11 years in jail for each of the seven counts of graft, arrest warrant may not be executed immediately because she can still appeal the ruling.

The Senator from Bicol said the court's verdict gives justice to all individuals and families who suffered under the 20-year authoritarian rule of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos and to those who unwaveringly fight for democracy and the rule of law.

"Ito ay hustisya para sa mga Pilipinong nasadlak sa kahirapan dahil sa talamak na katiwalian sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng mga Marcos. Ito ay hustisya para sa sambayanan na patuloy pa ring nagbabayad ng utang ng Pilipinas sa ibang bansa na lumobo noong panahon ng Batas Militar," she said.

"Higit sa lahat, ito ay hustisya at tagumpay para sa Pilipinong naninindigan laban sa mga pilit binabago ang kasaysayan, at sa mga naghahangad ng pananagutan sa mga tiwaling nais muling maghari-harian sa ating bayan," she added.

The former justice secretary said the historic decision should also serve as a reminder to other abusive and crooked officials, including Mr. Duterte who enjoys good ties with the Marcoses, that the long arm of the law and justice will catch up with them.

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