MANILA – Ilocos Norte 2nd District representative Imelda Marcos has withdrawn her candidacy for the same province’s gubernatorial post in the 2019 midterm elections, weeks after being convicted for seven counts of graft charges.
Marcos withdrew her candidacy on Thursday, the last day for filing for substitute candidates. The former first lady is to be replaced by grandson, Provincial Board Member Matthew Manotoc.
“IT’S FINAL. Matthew Marcos Manotoc, incumbent Senior Provincial Board Member, will run for Governor of Ilocos Norte,” posted Manotoc, who is also a player agent among PBA players.
Manotoc, son of incumbent Ilocos Norte governor Imee Marcos, will be competing against Ilocos Norte representative Rodolfo Fariñas, who substituted for Jesus Arimbuyotan
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division recently ordered for Marcos’ detention of from six years and one month, up to 11 years for each count of graft for violating Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Aside from the conviction, Marcos was also perpetually disqualified from holding any public office which may disqualify her if the Sandiganbayan upholds her conviction on the case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on December 1991.
Marcos was charged for allegedly having financial or pecuniary interest in and participating in the management of several Swiss foundations despite a constitutional prohibition during her time as a member of Interim Batasang Pambansa.
Marcos was the minister of human settlements from 1976 to 1986 and concurrent Metro Manila governor from 1978 to 1984 when she transferred around $200 million to seven Swiss foundations.
This was the second Sandiganbayan conviction of Imelda Marcos after she was ordered arrested by the anti-graft court in 1993 for two counts of graft. The former first lady was acquitted by the Supreme Court in 1998./PN
