By: Itchie G. Cabayan
FORMER First Lady Imelda Marcos was acquitted by the Philippine Supreme Court of seven counts of graft.
The decision dated June 10 but only made public on September 9 and penned by Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda, officially reverses her conviction in 2018 by the Sandiganbayan 5th Division which found her guilty of using her position as a Minister of Human Settlements during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. to maintain secret Swiss bank accounts.
Originally, she was sentenced to prison terms ranging from six years and one month up to 11 years for each count, with perpetual disqualification from public office. Owing to health reasons and advanced age though, the former First Lady was allowed to post bail.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court said the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt or establish that the foreign foundations such as the Maler, Trinidad, Rayby, and Palmy foundations constituted “businesses” under Republic Act No. 3019 (the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
Too, it was noted that documents from Swiss banks were not properly authenticated and government witnesses lacked personal knowledge of the files.
