Solon wont’ buy Imelda’s ‘infirmities’ alibi: She partied on night of verdict

Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate (CDN PHOTO/CHOY ROMANO)

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate on Thursday lambasted Ilocos Norte 2nd Dist. Rep. Imelda Marcos over her “indisposed” and “multiple organ infirmities” alibi to justify her absence at the Sandiganbayan’s promulgation of her graft cases.

Zarate was apparently not buying the excuse of the late dictator’s widow, who even partied on the night she was convicted on seven counts of graft.

“What indisposed? She PARTIED with gusto all night the same day she was convicted by the Sandiganbayan,” Zarate pointed out.

“She must be suffering from multiple moral and honesty infirmities rather than the contrived ‘multiple organ infirmities’ cited in her Motion,” he added.

The convicted 89-year-old former First Lady attended her daughter Imee’s birthday bash last November 9. The party was also graced by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Solicitor General Jose Calida, former Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Earlier that day, the anti-graft court found the widow of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos guilty for violating Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The Sandiganbayan ruled on seven cases concerning Swiss accounts where around $200 million were channeled by Mrs. Marcos, as she held various positions in government during the late dictator’s reign.

Mrs. Marcos, who has been known to own 3,000 pairs of luxurious shoes, was sentenced to imprisonment of six years up to 11 years for each count of graft.

READ: Imelda Marcos guilty of graft, ordered arrested | Imelda Marcos to appeal graft conviction

In a motion for leave to avail of post-conviction remedies filed on November 12, Mrs. Marcos’ camp justified her absence last November 9 by saying she was “indisposed” and “suffering from multiple organ infirmities.”

READ: Imelda Marcos says absence during case promulgation due to ‘infirmities’

She also claimed she was “under strict orders from her physician to refrain from stressful conditions that will put her at risk for heart and brain attack and recurrence of seizure.”

Mrs. Marcos also asked the court to allow her to challenge its decision, defer the issuance of an arrest warrant, and allow her to post bail.

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