Former Philippines' First Lady Imelda Marcos Convicted of Corruption in $200 Million Fraud Case

[DonViejo]

Source: TIME Magazine



By JIM GOMEZ / AP 1:30 AM EST

(MANILA, Philippines) — A Philippine court found former first lady Imelda Marcos guilty of graft and ordered her arrest Friday in a rare conviction among many corruption cases that she’s likely to appeal to avoid jail and losing her seat in Congress.

The special anti-graft Sandiganbayan court sentenced Marcos, 89, to serve 6 to 11 years in prison for each of the seven counts of violating an anti-corruption law when she illegally funneled about $200 million to Swiss foundations in the 1970s as Metropolitan Manila governor.

Neither Marcos nor anyone representing her attended Friday’s court hearing. No one has issued any reaction on her behalf although her lawyers were expected to appeal the ruling, which anti-Marcos activists and human rights victims welcomed as long overdue.

The court disqualified Marcos from holding public office, but she can remain a member of the powerful House of Representatives while appealing the decision. Her congressional term will end next year but she has registered to run to replace her daughter as governor of northern Ilocos Norte province.

Read more: http://time.com/5450097/philippines-imelda-marcos-graft-arrest/

[efhmc]

1. I had no idea she was still alive. Is this a

way to get money?

[hlthe2b]

2. That was my first thought... Geebus, such a blast from the past...

[llmart]

4. I had no idea she was still alive.

I worked with someone whose father was high up in the Marcos administration. Some of the stories she told me about her childhood explained a lot to me about how corrupt they were. She said as a child/teenager she had no idea of the behind the scenes goings on at that time. She didn't get too specific because maybe she wanted to protect her father's reputation, but I was much older than her and could put two and two together. She had a very wealthy upbringing.

[Stuart G]

3. k and r...nt

[Wolf Frankula]

5. They will Fine her.

She will pay in shoes.

Wolf

[Roy Rolling]

6. 40 Years Ago?

I know sometime justice moves slowly, but thia is curious timing. Maybe with luck, she invested the $200 million wisely and is now worth $500 million.

Is there a New York Shoe Exchange?

[DFW]

7. Oh, no! She might have to sell some of her shoes!

As it is, she had to rent out the island of Sumatra to store them all......

[mahina]

14. Who would that be?

[YOHABLO]

9. Lock her up ! In a 8 x 8 cell with nothing but her shoes.

[Turbineguy]

10. What's interesting here

is this has taken over thirty years, there are still $billions left to account for, and they have a die-hard group of supporters who keep the Marcos gang in power.

The Marcos Family has the same sort of charm possessed by the Trump Family.

In 1985 I hung out in the Taproom at the Manila Hotel. This English guy used to come in, very flamboyant, in a Malacañang Palace car with an entourage, his Aides and "Sexetary". He would stuff his pockets full of the complimentary cigars and brag about taking trips to Switzerland with suitcases full of money for Marcos. He had a cigarette lighter that looked like a gun and caused a panic when he whipped it out in a crowd of people at a store.

[sandensea]

12. Amazing anecdote. Thanks for sharing that!

Very cinematic - every bit like a Bond villain.

[sandensea]

11. Better late than never I guess

Of course, at this rate Incestvanka will probably be convicted in 2050.

[SKKY]

13. How in the hell is she still alive???

Let alone serving as an elected member of the Philippine Congress.

[Mickju]

17. She's 89

[dembotoz]

15. Hold my beer...our president can out fraud that before lunch

[java108]

16. What a fantastic reminder that Imelda Marcos is still trash!