MANILA – The conviction of Ilocos Norte 2nd District representative Imelda Marcos for seven counts of graft charges only shows that the Justice system in the country favors no one, the Malacañang said.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement that the guilty verdict of the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division against Marcos also stands as a reminder for government officials to be truthful in their work.
“This latest development underscores that our country currently has a working and impartial justice system that favors no one,” Panelo said. “This is a good reminder to all public servants that public office is a public trust.”
“As servants of the people, we are all accountable to the people we serve,” he added. “We must therefore carry out our duties not only with professionalism and fidelity but most importantly, with integrity.”
Panelo also said that the Palace respects the decision of the anti-graft court to convict Marcos, a known Duterte ally, and will leave it up to them to plot their next move on the case.
“We manifest our respect to the decision of the Sandiganbayan finding former first lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos guilty of the seven out of the ten cases filed against her,” Panelo said.
“The government is not in the business of exerting undue interference or influence in the affairs of another separate and independent branch of the government,” the Palace spokesperson added.
‘THERE IS HOPE IN JUDICIARY’
Former Commission on Human Rights chairman Loretta Rosales lauded the conviction of Marcos by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division even if it took them two decades to put out a decision.
“I’m surprised, but very pleasantly surprised. It has always been an uphill struggle. Then all of a sudden, here it is after so much work. You can see that the local courts somehow are trying to establish their independence,” Rosales told CNN Philippines.
“It may have taken two decades and that is a bit too long. But still, they did not give up and that is what counts,” added Rosales, who is a victim of dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law regime.
Former senator Rene Saguisag also shared the same sentiment as Rosales but he believes that Imelda Marcos will likely not be put on detention considering her advanced age.
“Hallelujah! About time, indeed, long past time. But, I am not certain Imelda should be jailed. Conviction is enough humiliation,” Saguisag said./PN
