by MLC | Jan 7, 2019 | Martial Law Analysis
By: Perfecto Raymundo
Source: Northbound Philippines News Online
MANILA — The Sandiganbayan on Friday allowed former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos to post a PHP150,000 bailbond for each count of the seven counts of her graft conviction, for a total of PHP1.05 million.
In its decision, Sandiganbayan Fifth Division Chairman Associate Justice Rafael Lagos allowed Marcos to be temporarily released while her motion seeking to appeal the guilty verdict is being heard.
Marcos told the anti-graft court that she had no idea that the promulgation of the sentence was Friday last week.
She informed the Sandiganbayan that her housemaid received the “notice of promulgation” and put it in the office of her secretary, who was then “on-leave” at that day.
Earlier, the Sandiganbayan ordered the convicted former First Lady to remain in the court premises while her motion is being resolved.
Marcos arrived around 8 a.m. at the Sandiganbayan to attend the hearing on her motion to allow her to post bail and file legal remedies on her conviction.
She was accompanied by her children — incumbent Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and grandson, Borgy Manotoc.
In her motion, she asked the Sandiganbayan to defer the issuance of a warrant of arrest, as well as the suspension of its implementation if ever the anti-graft issues such an order.
“Considering that the absence of the accused was due to a justifiable reason, she respectfully prays of this Honorable Court that her standing be restored and that she be given leave to avail of the remedies provided under the Rules of Criminal Procedure against her judgment of conviction,” she said in her motion.
In its decision, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division sentenced Marcos to suffer the penalty of imprisonment from six years to 11 years for each count of the seven counts of graft cases.
The cases involved her alleged hidden wealth in the Swiss bank accounts during her husband’s time, while she was the sitting Minister of Human Settlements, concurrent Metro Manila governor and Member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa.
The anti-graft court forfeited her bailbond because of her non-appearance during the promulgation of the decision Friday last week.
However, the Sandiganbayan said: “the failure to appear was neither intentional nor meant to disrespect this Honorable Court but was solely because she was indisposed.”
Marcos, in her motion, also argued that she was strictly advised by her doctor to avoid being “stressed” because of her illnesses, which may result in heart and brain attack, presenting to the Sandiganbayan medical certificates showing that she was suffering from various health conditions.
by MLC | Jan 6, 2019 | Martial Law Analysis
Source: POLITIKO North Luzon
Ilocos Norte 2nd District Representative Imelda Marcos had time to party on the day the Sandiganbayan convicted her of seven counts of graft but did not report to work the week after.
The Ilocos Norte politiko had not been attending the plenary sessions at the House of Representatives from November 12 to November according to a Rappler report.
Marcos also has not been seen in her office.
The Sandiganbayan, last November 9, found Marcos guilty of transferring around $200 million to seven Swiss foundations during her term as a member of the defunct Batasang Pambansa and as then Minister of Human Settlements.
She is facing up to 77 years in jail.
by MLC | Jan 5, 2019 | Martial Law Analysis
Source: POLITIKO
By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN
Convicted former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos still managed to use her old congressional protocol plates despite a recent recall order issued by the House leadership.
Various television footages on Friday showed that Mrs. Marcos’ Toyota Coaster mini-bus was still bearing the “no. 8” protocol plate while she was about to board the vehicle after being allowed by the anti-graft court post a P150,000 bail bond following her graft conviction last week.
The protocol plate attached on Marcos’ mini-bus was most likely not issued during the 16th Congress since it bears the tagline “Matatag na Republika” (Strong Republic)—the trademark of vehicle plates during the Arroyo Administration.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) continued to issue the said Strong Republic edition of vehicle plates until 2014. The former First Lady was first elected as Ilocos Norte solon in 2010.
Aside from the mini-bus of Mrs. Marcos, the Ilocos Norte solon’s back-up vehicle—a black Toyota Land Cruiser also bears a white congressional protocol plate—indicating that it was issued during the 16th Congress.
On Wednesday, the House leadership ordered the recall of all protocol plates issued to legislators and their staff during the previous Congresses—specifically the 16th Congress edition in the light of road rage incident in Angeles City, Pampanga last week.
During Wednesday’s proceedings in the House plenary, Majority Floor Leader Rolando “Nonoy” Andaya Jr. (Camarines Sur) reiterated the previous memorandum issued by the chamber’s Secretary-General for all members of the Lower House regarding the recall of “protocol plate number 8.”
Andaya said no less than former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave the instruction for the immediate recall of all protocol plates issued during past Congresses, particularly the 16th Congress after receiving reports that certain vehicles with such plates have been spotted in indecent places or figured in crime-related activities.
Two dash footages recently went viral online after a green Toyota FJ Cruises bearing a congressional protocol plate engaged in separate road rage incidents in Pampanga and Quezon City respectively.
The incidents had been initially blamed on the son of Pampanga Rep. Carmelo “Jonjon” Lazatin II after the FJ Cruiser driver who was allegedly caught on cam introducing himself as the legislator’s offspring.
Authorities later dismissed the involvement of the Lazatins following the arrest of musician Jojo Valerio who they claimed was the real person who punched a motorist along McArthur Highway in Angeles City.
by MLC | Jan 4, 2019 | Martial Law Analysis
By: Joana Belle Deala
Source: Philippine Canadian Inquirer
The Sandiganbayan is in hot waters on Friday, November 16, after it allowed Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos to post bail for her temporary liberty.
The anti-graft court earlier this day ordered the widow of former President Ferdinand Marcos to post a P150,000 bail bond, while it has yet to decide on whether or not she will be granted a post-conviction bail.
Mrs. Marcos is facing arrest after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division found her guilty of seven counts of graft last November 9 for her “financial interest” as well as “participation” in the management of Swiss-based foundations when she was serving as a government official during the late dictator’s administration.
Upon hearing the news, Anakpawis Representative Ariel Casilao described such decision as a “very double standard” move.
“Very shameful of the high magistrates of the Sandiganbayan bowing down to the high and mighty Marcoses for the whole world to see,” Casilao said.
“Very disappointing! As if the delay of more than two decades in deciding the case was not enough injustice,” he added.
Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago lamented the amount that the Sandiganbayan had set for Mrs. Marcos for her provisional liberty, saying that it was only a “piso sale” compared to the billions of pesos her family stole from the country.
“Ang tagal ng hustisya sa ordinaryong mamamayan, pero pag bailout sa mga Marcos may pa-11.11 sale pa (The justice for ordinary people is taking so long, but they even offered 11.11 sale when they bailed out Marcoses),”Elago stressed, referring to the sale offered by some online shop giants to shoppers last November 11.
Akbayan Representative Tom Villarin, for his part, said Mrs. Marcos’ case is not an ordinary case that the country will just “let pass without a whimper,” and that the history is the one “judging” her.
Villarin added that the former first lady was “having the best of all worlds partying with gusto, rubbing elbows with the high and mighty, and now running as governor that is a 24/7 job and would likely result to her immediate death.”
“So why allow her to bail and engage in such a strenuous work in politics?” he asked.
In her motion asking for a leave of court to avail post-conviction remedies, the camp of Mrs. Marcos said she was not able to attend the promulgation of her cases last week because she is suffering from “multiple organ infirmities.”
Along with her pleading is a medical certificate from St. Luke’s Medical Center neurologist Dr. Joven Cuanang, where the seven conditions affecting the lawmaker were indicated.
[READ: Marcos says she is suffering from ‘multiple organ infirmities’]
Moreover, Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman said that although Mrs. Marcos was granted temporary liberty, she is still a “prisoner of her own conscience.”
“No conscience is so callous as not to be afflicted by guilt and remorse,” Lagman noted.
Mrs. Marcos is a free woman, at least for now, after she posted bail at the Sandiganbayan. She was accompanied by her children, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Irene Marcos, along with her grandsons Borgy and Mike Manotoc.
by MLC | Jan 3, 2019 | Martial Law Analysis
By: JOSEPH TRISTAN ROXAS
Source: GMA News
Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos has cited health reasons for her absence during the promulgation at the Sandiganbayan last week where she was found guilty for seven counts of graft.
In a motion filed at the Fifth Division on November 12, Marcos said she meant no disrespect to the Sandiganbayan but had to prevent herself from attending stressful conditions upon the orders of her doctor.
“The accused was suffering from multiple organ infirmities and was under strict orders from her physician to refrain from stressful conditions that will put her at risk for heart and brain attack and recurrence of seizure,” Marcos said.
Marcos attached a medical certificate signed by her neurologist, Dr. Joven Cuanang of St. Luke’s Medical Center, who said the 89-year-old former First Lady is suffering from seven illnesses.
These conditions include Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Hypertension and Atherosclerotic Cardio Vascular Disease, Static Ministrokes due to cerebral scars from a previous surgery, Moderately Severe Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Chronic Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection, Chronis Recurrent Gastritis and Multiple Colon Polyps, and Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infection.
The medical certificate also said Marcos, who filed her candidacy for Ilocos Norte governor in the 2019 elections, is having “many supplements to improve her immune system.”
Despite her health “infirmities,” Marcos, on the night of her conviction, found time to attend the birthday party of her daughter Imee, where her son and Imee’s brother Ferdinand “Bongbong” Jr, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and House Speaker Gloria Arroyo also showed up.
The party was held on the same day the Sandiganbayan convicted Marcos for violation of Section 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, with subsidiary imprisonment of six to 11 years for each count and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
The Sandiganbayan said the evidence showed Marcos created and managed seven foundations in Switzerland that earned interest for the benefit of her family. These transpired during her service as Metro Manila Governor, Minister of Human Settlements, and interim member of Batasan Pambansa.
The Sandiganbayan was forced to compel Marcos and her counsel, Robert Sison, to explain their “unjustified” absence during the promulgation within 30 days.
Having cited her health ailments, Marcos said this should be reason enough for the Sandiganbayan to allow her to challenge the conviction and defer the issuance of the warrant of arrest.
“Considering that the absence of the accused was due to a justifiable reason, she respectfully prays of this Honorable Court that her standing be restored and that she be given leave to avail of the remedies provided under the Rules of Criminal Procedure against her judgment of conviction,” Marcos said.
She also appealed for the anti-graft court to grant her request for bail after the bond she posted during the trial stage was forfeited.
The Sandiganbayan will hear the motion of Marcos on Friday morning.
Ailing lawyer
Health concerns were also the same reason cited by Sison in his affidavit, explaining that he was rushed to the Asian Hospital Medical Center in Muntinlupa City on the same day of the promulgation.
Sison said he started experiencing dizziness on November 7 which persisted until the next day. He said he even had to seek assistance from another lawyer to attend to other cases he was handling.
Sison said his condition remained the same on November 9 and was only discharged late in the afternoon.
“The foregoing even which prevented me from attending the promulgation of judgment of the Sandiganbayan criminal cases against Mrs. Marcos on the same day was beyond my control. It was not of my own liking,” he said.
Marcos had informed the Sandiganbayan that she will change his counsel, replacing Sison with former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Manuel Lazaro.
by MLC | Jan 2, 2019 | Martial Law Analysis
By: JOSEPH TRISTAN ROXAS
Source: GMA News
Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos arrived at the Sandiganbayan on Friday morning to attend the hearing on her motion challenging her conviction for graft.
The 89-year-old former First Lady was accompanied by her son, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and daughter, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos.
Supporters of the Marcos family also gathered outside the Sandiganbayan to show their support for Mrs. Marcos.
The Sandiganbayan last week found Rep. Marcos guilty for seven counts of graft in connection with her financial interests in Swiss-based foundations during her time as Minister of Human Settlements and interim member of Congress.
Rep. Marcos did not attend the promulgation of the case on November 9 but was present during Imee’s birthday party, which was held on the same day.
In a motion filed at the Fifth Division on November 12, Rep. Marcos said she meant no disrespect to the Sandiganbayan but had to prevent herself from attending stressful conditions upon the orders of her doctor.
Rep. Marcos attached a medical certificate signed by her neurologist, Dr. Joven Cuanang of St. Luke’s Medical Center, who said the 89-year-old former First Lady is suffering from seven illnesses.
These conditions include Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Hypertension and Atherosclerotic Cardio Vascular Disease, Static Ministrokes due to cerebral scars from a previous surgery, Moderately Severe Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Chronic Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection, Chronis Recurrent Gastritis and Multiple Colon Polyps, and Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infection.
Rep. Marcos is running for governor of Ilocos Norte in next year’s elections.
