Imelda Marcos cites health for skipping graft conviction

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter
ILOCOS Norte-2nd district Rep. Imelda R. Marcos has cited “multiple organ infirmities” as the reason for her absence in her conviction at the Sandiganbayan for graft last Friday.
In her motion for leave of court to avail of post conviction remedies, dated Nov. 12, Mrs. Marcos explained her failure to attend the promulgation of her graft case was “unintentional” and was due to health concerns.
“On the said date and even before, the accused was suffering from multiple organ infirmities and was under strict orders from her physician to refrain for heart and brain attack and recurrence of seizure,” the motion read.
The Sandiganbayan fifth division on Nov. 9 found Mrs. Marcos guilty of seven counts of graft in connection with the $200 million in public funds transferred to Swiss foundations during the martial-law regime.
Mrs. Marcos, however, was seen joining the birthday party of her daughter Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee R. Marcos the night following the anti-graft court’s decision.
The motion further explained that Mrs. Marcos’s lawyer Robert A.C. Sison likewise could not attend due to “high blood pressure.”
Mr. Sison “was advised to rest for 3 days and was therefore unable to attend the scheduled hearing.”
Mrs. Marcos asked the court to be given leave to avail of remedies to challenge the decision as well as defer the issuance of the warrant of arrest or suspend its implementation.
She also prayed that her bail be reinstated after the court decided to forfeit it over her absence.