Imelda Marcos was in tears after yet another court victory last Monday. After 17 years of litigation, Manila Regional Trial Court Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. acquitted the former first lady of 32 counts of dollar salting. The judge explained that the prosecution presented inadmissible evidence and failed to prove Mrs. Marcos’ guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The case stemmed from accusations that Mrs. Marcos, together with the late ambassador Roberto Benedicto and Hector Rivera, opened 11 dollar accounts in Switzerland under the names of 10 foundations linked to the Marcos family. The accounts held a total of $863 million — money that the government is still trying to recover in a separate case being handled by the Sandigan-bayan anti-graft court. Pampilo said this forfeiture case could still be pursued; Mrs. Marcos was cleared only of criminal charges.
Though the forfeiture case is pending, the acquittal is yet another major court victory for the widow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The flamboyant former first lady, now 78, is enjoying her twilight years, launching a line of costume jewelry and serving as an informal spokeswoman for the Philippine shoe industry. She is still crooning her favorite songs, and why not? The other half of the couple that gave rise to the term “kleptocracy” has not spent a single moment behind bars for corruption or any of the atrocities perpetrated during her husband’s two decades in power.
Imelda Marcos has become an enduring inspiration for all venal public officials in this country about getting away with everything including murder. Add to her saga the pardon of deposed President Joseph Estrada following his conviction for plunder, and you can understand why, 22 years after the collapse of the Marcos regime, the country is mired in yet another massive corruption scandal, with no resolution in sight.
It’s hard to pin down the Marcoses, an official of the Presidential Commission on Good Government sighed following the former first lady’s latest court victory. The PCGG has so lost the will to carry out its mandate that Imelda Marcos even graced the birthday party of a PCGG commissioner. That was another victory of sorts for the former first lady. She’s shedding tears of joy, crying all the way to the bank.