Imelda Marcos conviction a ‘triumph for Filipinos’- CHR

FILE – In this Oct. 16, 2018, file photo, former Philippines first lady and widow of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Congresswoman Imelda Marcos arrives at the Commission on Elections to lend her support for her daughter Governor Imee Marcos in filing her Certificate of Candidacy or COC for a Senate seat in the May 2019 midterm elections. AP PHOTO/Bullit Marquez, File

“This conviction is nonetheless a triumph for the Filipino people.”

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) issued the statement on Friday after the Sandiganbayan’s fifth division found former First Lady Imelda Marcos guilty of seven counts of graft charges.

The Commission added that the conviction was also a “triumph” for the victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime.

CHR also reiterated that there is a “need for truth” to hold those responsible for the crimes during martial law.

“The Commission stresses the need for truth so that we call ultimately hold the dictatorship and their cohorts accountable for their crimes,” CHR spokesperson Jaqueline de Guia said in a statement.

The rights watchdog then said they will continue to promote justice of the victims during martial law.

“We will continue to be vigilant in this process in the interest of upholding justice for the victims of such transgressions. We will never forget,” De Guia said.

Earlier, Sandiganbayan issued a decision which states that Marcos violated Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act 3019 after transferring around $200 million to seven Swiss foundations during her term as a member of the defunct Batasang Pambansa and as the former Minister of Human Settlements.

The decision added that Marcos will be sentenced to imprisonment of from six years to one month, up to 11 years for each count of graft./ac

READ: Sandigan finds Imelda Marcos guilty of 7 graft counts