Sandiganbayan allows Imelda Marcos to post bail

The Sandiganbayan on Friday allowed former First Lady Imelda Marcos to post bail and enjoy temporary liberty while the court decides on her appeal for seven cases of graft.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ordered Marcos to post bail “double the amount of her original bond,” which was P150,000 last Nov. 16, making her bail P300,000.

“[Ms. Marcos] was also required to post a cash bond double the amount of her original bond, as the rules allow an accused to continue enjoying provisional liberty during the pendency of an appeal or a motion for reconsideration,” the clerk of court told reporters on Friday.

READ: Court allows Imelda Marcos to post P150,00 bail

The clerk of court also said that Marcos was given 15 days to avail the post conviction remedies under the Rules of Court.

“Mrs. Marcos was given 15 days to avail of post-conviction remedies under the rules, which would be either her filing of a motion for reconsideration or a notice of appeal,” the clerk of court said.

Marcos was allowed to either file her motion for reconsideration before the anti-graft court or she can go straight to the Supreme Court (SC) through a notice of appeal to the Sandiganbayan.

In portions of the resolution released to the media, the anti-graft court noted Marcos’s  “inconsistencies” in her reason why  she was absent during the promulgation of her graft cases.

Marcos earlier claimed she was not informed of the schedule of the promulgation, but she also said that she was not able to attend because of health issues.

The court, however, said that Marcos’ reasons for failing to attend the promulgation, “coupled by her surrender in Court, negate an obstinate defiance on her part to the Court’s process.”

The court took note of Marcos’s explanation that she was not able to attend because she “did not really know” there was a scheduled promulgation.

The court also took note of Marcos’s testimony saying “even if I was sick, I would have come here because this is the law.”

“Such statements invite leniency on the part of the court, considering that in the process, Mrs. Marcos surrendered and placed herself within the reach and arm of the law,” the court said, citing the resolution.

“Penal laws being favorable to the accused, substantive justice necessitates that Ms. Marcos be restored in her standing in court and be recognized to her right to pursue legal remedies against the judgment of conviction,” the resolution read.

READ: Judge quizzes Imelda Marcos on absence at promulgation

Marcos was convicted last November 9 for seven counts of graft, stemming from her involvement in the transfer of funds to Swiss foundations while occupying various posts.

READ: Imelda Marcos guilty of graft, ordered arrested

Last Tuesday, Marcos filed a notice of appeal at the Sandiganbayan to notify the court the Marcos will bring her conviction to the SC. Erwin Aguilon/ RadyoINQUIRER.  /muf

READ: Imelda Marcos says she’ll go straight to SC

READ: Imelda wants to take case to SC; Sandiganbayan says it’s premature