Diokno: Imelda Marcos should serve jail time despite old age

Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel ‘Chel’ Diokno (left) said Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, that former first lady Imelda Marcos (right) should serve jail time for graft despite her old age. INQUIRER FILES

Former first lady and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos should serve jail time for her crimes despite her old age, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno said Monday.

Diokno said Marcos’s age “should not be an obstacle to accountability,” adding that the 89-year-old should serve jail time because she did not commit the crime when she was 89 years old but during her 50’s.

“I think the age should not be an obstacle to accountability. What matters really is when she committed the crime and that wasn’t when she was 89 years old but when she was in her 50’s,” Diokno said over an interview at ABS CBN News Channel.

“There should be jail time, I believe, because the people have to see that anyone can be held accountable whether they’re rich or poor,” he added.

Marcos was found guilty of seven courts of graft by the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division last Friday.

READ: Sandiganbayan finds Imelda Marcos guilty of 7 graft counts / Imelda gets 77 years but jail time doubted

He said that should Marcos appeal the Sandiganbayan’s decision before the Supreme Court (SC), he hoped the High Court would decide on Marcos’s motion speedily.

“I do hope, however, that the Supreme Court acts on the appeal in the way that it will be very speedy,” he added.

“This case was filed way back in 1991, and decided only in 2018. That’s 27 years. I think that’s way too long and I hope that the appeal process will not take that long either,” he said.

Diokno reminded the public to remain vigilant but hoped that justice would prevail in the long run.

“I do hope, however, that justice would prevail in the long run because this case is going to go up probably to the Supreme Court and we still have to remain vigilant,” Diokno said. /cbb