Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos at the House of Representatives in Quezon City. (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The excuses given by former first lady Imelda Marcos for being absent during her sentencing for graft cases is a “mockery of justice,” Vice President Leni Robredo said in a statement issued on Saturday.
She also noted that the former first lady’s attending a party was an “insult.”
“Iyong pinaka-insulto sa atin, kasi iyong the day na lumabas iyong conviction, nag-party pa,” Robredo said. “Pero iyong dahilan niya nga kung bakit hindi siya naka-attend noong conviction, may sakit siya. Parang nagiging mockery iyong justice system.”
[The most insulting for us is that she went to a party on the day that her conviction came out. But her excuse for not being to attend her convicton was that she was sick. That’s like making a mockery of the justice system.]
Last Nov. 9, the Fifth Division of the Sandiganbayan found Marcos guilty of seven counts of graft, sentencing her to imprisonment on a maximum of up to 11 years for each count.
Marcos then said her absence during the anti-graft court’s promulgation was because of health issues.
READ: Judge quizzes Imelda Marcos on absence at promulgation
Robredo remained hopeful, however, that the anti-graft court would give equal treatment to those convicted despite their economic status.
“Inaasahan natin na, ano pa din, because of the conviction, ipakita pa din ng Sandiganbayan sa taumbayan na hindi siya namimili,” she said. “Kung paano niya i-treat iyong mahihirap, sana ganoon din iyong pag-treat sa lahat. Kung paano niya i-treat iyong mayayaman, sana ganoon din iyong pag-treat sa mahihirap.”
[We hope that, because of the conviction, the Sandiganbayan will show the people that they’re not selective. I hope they way they treat the poor will also be the way the treat everyone else. I hope they way they treat the rich will also be the way they treat the poor.]