Sandigan OKs Imelda's travel to China

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has granted Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos’ request that she be allowed to travel to China for 14 days.

The former first lady sought the anti-graft court’s permission to travel because, she said, she is meeting with businessmen from the Metro Millennium Consolidated Building Consultants Inc. and the China Trend Investments Ltd.

Marcos, who is facing a number of graft cases at the Sandiganbayan, said she will leave the country on Aug. 29 and return not later than Sept. 11.

Her motion, filed through lawyer Robert Sison, said she intends to visit Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Hong Kong during her two-week trip.

Marcos said she would meet with businessmen to encourage them to invest in the Philippines, particularly in her province and the congressional district she represents.

She said Metro Millennium has expressed desire to invest in the areas of real estate, resort and tourism, mining and the establishment of an industrial free zone.