MANILA, Philippines — Anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on Friday has allowed convicted Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos to post bail for her temporary liberty.
Last week, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division found the widow of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos guilty beyond reasonable doubt of seven counts of graft.
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The court allowed Marcos to post a P150,000 bail bond for her provisional liberty while the court is yet to decide on whether she would be allowed to file a post-conviction bond, according to a report from The STAR.
The court has also not yet ruled on whether the Ilocos Norte lawmaker would be allowed to file a motion for reconsideration on her conviction.
During the hearing on Friday, Imelda claimed that she was not aware that her graft cases were set for promulgation last week.
"If I knew about it your honor, I would have been here. Even if I was sick, I would have come here," Imelda told the court.
She further claimed that she only found out about the promulgation of her cases upon watching the news on television, adding that she was feeling ill when she woke up last Friday.
This reasoning, however, was not mentioned when her legal counsel filed for a Motion for Leave of Court to Avail of Post Conviction Remedies last Monday.
The former first lady had earlier claimed she was "suffering from multiple organ infirmities" on why she missed the reading of her verdict.
Despite her supposed health condition, Imelda was seen attending the birthday party of her daughter Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos in San Juan City hours after her conviction last week.
The court ordered Imelda to explain her absence during the promulgation of her graft cases. — with reports from Elizabeth Marcelo