Vice President Leni Robredo thinks former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos is still physically fit to go to jail despite old age.
This while Robredo pointed out that the 89-year-old Mrs. Marcos can still go to a party even hours after the anti-graft court sentenced the widow of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos to decades of jail term for seven counts of graft.
“Ito, kita naman natin, kita natin — iyong araw nga na lumabas iyong hatol, nasa diyaryo, nag-party pa. Nag-party pa siya,” the Vice President said in a radio interview with Radio Mindanao Network on Sunday.
“Gustong sabihin, kung kaya pang mag-party, kaya pang lumagi sa kulungan,” she added.
The Sandiganbayan on Friday found Mrs. Marcos guilty of graft, a bailable charge, for funneling funds to Swiss foundations she and her husband created while being a government official during Mr. Marcos’ reign.
The anti-graft court sentenced Mrs. Marcos to imprisonment of six years and one month to 11 years for each count of graft and perpetually barred her from holding public office.
READ: Imelda Marcos guilty of graft, ordered arrested
On Friday night, Mrs. Marcos was spotted with other government officials, including presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, and former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, celebrating during the birthday bash of her daughter, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.
READ: Attendance of Imelda Marcos at daughter’s party pics irk solon
Robredo believed Mrs. Marcos’ age should not be used to justify her avoiding jail time. She further cited Mrs. Marcos’ ability to attend sessions at the House of Representatives, and candidacy to become Ilocos Norte’s governor in the 2019 midterm elections. Imee has joined the senatorial race next year.
“Dahil sa age, mayroon nang ibang considerations. Pero mali iyong sinasabi nila na dahil lampas na ng 70 years old, hindi na makukulong. Kasi ito lang naman ay isa sa mga mitigating circumstances under sa Revised Penal Code, na bababaan iyong hatol dahil sa edad, at kino-consider ano ba iyong katayuan,” she said.
“Kung ganiyan, nakakapunta pa nga sa Congress, nakaka-kandidato pa bilang gubernador, hindi siguro dahilan para hindi dapat ikulong,” she added.
The camp of Mrs. Marcos is expected to file their appeal on the graft conviction. /kga