MANILA, Philippines — Supporters of former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos denounced yesterday what they called “political persecution” of the Marcos family by communist front organizations.
In a press statement, the Marcos loyalists said political expedience dictated the outcome of the trial at the expense of Marcos’ constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.
Beth de Leon, one of the leaders of Marcos loyalists, cited the achievements of the Marcos administration, which she said remain unsurpassed in terms of infrastructure and social development programs.
“It is unfortunate that the youth of today who have not experienced the policies of the Marcoses are falling for the smear campaign by the critics who are out to gain political mileage from the Marcos widow’s legal woes,” De Leon said.
De Leon was among those who joined on Friday the Marcos loyalists who reportedly trooped to the Sandiganbayan to express their support for Mrs. Marcos as they bewailed the inordinate delay in the prosecution of the last graft cases against her and the timing of the release of the anti-graft decision.
The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Friday ordered the forfeiture of the bail bond that Marcos posted when the cases were filed in 1991.
Marcos was convicted on seven counts of graft over her funneling of funds into several private foundations in Switzerland, which she and her husband, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, created during the martial law regime.
She is facing six to 11 years in prison for each count as well as perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
A week after her conviction, the Sandiganbayan allowed Marcos to post a P150,000 bail, which she immediately posted the other day to remain free.
Another Marcos supporter Rosinda Bato of Tondo, Manila, expressed indignation over the alleged lies being spread by anti-Marcos critics led by left-leaning candidates in next year’s midterm elections.
“Don’t fool us. We know what good the Marcoses have done as compared to these accusers who are out to destroy the country,” Bato said.
”We are here to voice our support for the Marcoses who are fondly remembered by most senior citizens like us,” said former mayor Robinson Raiz of Asuncion, Davao del Norte.
Raiz and his wife Jesusa who hails from Paoay, Ilocos Norte, had organized a group of elderly women and senior citizens from across the country to continue their support for the Marcoses.
“We are here for the love of Madam Imelda,” said 68-year-old Maria Antonia Mabitad, who hails from Eastern Samar and has served as a public school teacher for 30 years.