A GROUP of political detainees during the infamous martial law years yesterday appealed to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo to “affirm” the conviction by the Sandiganbayan of former first lady Imelda Marcos for graft.
The martial law victims and survivors belonging to the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) and the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacanang and Martial Law (Carmma) made the appeal as the country marked three years since Mrs. Marcos was found guilty of seven counts of graft by the Sandiganbayan.
They said they made the same inquiry about the status of Mrs. Marcos’s appeal of her conviction through a letter addressed to former chief justice Diosdado Peralta but their inquiry was just noted by the High Court without any further action.
“Sir, we, the victims of the atrocities during Marcos’ martial law, have suffered enough. We continue to suffer as we witness Mrs. Marcos, the principal conspirato of the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.is still out of jail, living a profligate lifestyle, shamelessly luxuriating with the money that she and her family stole from the Filipino people, despite his conviction by the Sandiganbayan. His son, Ferdinand Jr. is in the running for a presidential bid. Many suspect that the funds for such have been obtained from the nation’s coffers,” the letter said.
“In the interest of justice for all victims of human rights violations during the martial law period, we again appeal to this Honorable Court to affirm Mrs. Marcos’ conviction by the Sandiganbayan. We call on the sense of truth and justice of members of this Honorable Court and decide with dispatch to dismiss Mrs. Marcos’ appeal,” it added.
Mrs. Marcos was found guilty by the anti-graft court for seven counts of graft for illegally funneling at least $352 million to various Swiss foundations in the 1970s, when she served as governor of Metro Manila.
She was sentenced to imprisonment of six years and one month to 11 years for each count of graft. Mrs. Marcos was, however, allowed to post bail of P300,000 for her temporary liberty while her lawyers filed an appeal with the SC.
