House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. on Monday said the chamber would “respect and abide by” Sandiganbayan’s decision to convict former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos of seven counts of graft and order her arrest.
But Minority Leader Danilo Suarez insisted that the issues against the Marcoses should now be laid to rest.
READ: Imelda Marcos guilty of graft, ordered arrested
“While there are remedies available to all persons under our criminal justice system, including but not limited to provisional remedies and appeal, the House will respect and abide by the decision of the Sandiganbayan,” Andaya said in a statement, which he did not elaborate.
In an ambush interview, Suarez backed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde’s statement that they would consider the age and health of the late dictator’s widow.
READ: Albayalde on Marcos’ arrest: We have to take into consideration her age
“That may sound very reasonable… but as I’ve said, kung hindi natin bibigyan ng closure iyong issue noong Marcos years hindi tayo magmu-move on,” the Quezon 3rd District congressman said.
(That may sound very reasonable, but as I’ve said, if we are not going to provide closure to the issues during the Marcos years, we cannot move on.)
The Arroyo ally also chided the critics of the Marcos family.
“Bakit galit na galit iyog mga critics kay Marcos? (Why are the critics so angry at Marcos?) Because they were communists in the first place and they were the enemy of the state,” Suarez said.
On Friday, the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division found the 89-year-old former First Lady guilty of violating R.A. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, a case which stemmed from the reported transfer of around $200 million to seven Swiss foundations during her term as Metro Manila Governor, Batasang Pambansa Member, and Minister of Human Settlement.
She is sentenced to imprisonment of six years and one month up to 11 years for each count of graft and ordered arrested, but she can still post bail as graft is a bailable offense. She said her camp would file a motion for reconsideration on the anti-graft court’s guilty verdict against her. /ee
READ: Imelda Marcos to appeal graft conviction