FORMER First Lady Imelda Marcos, the 92-year-old widow of the former dictator, will serve her sentence behind bars regardless of her advanced age or her relatives in government once her conviction for multiple counts of corruption is affirmed by the Supreme Court.
This was the commitment given by Sen. Manny Pacquiao to his supporters should he win the presidency in the May 9 general elections.
“There will be no exemptions. If you’re convicted by the SC, or any competent court, we will enforce the ruling,” the PROMDI Party candidate told reporters.
Pacquiao issued the remark during an ambush interview after a meeting with members of the Christian Coalition Movement in Pasig City on Sunday night. The group met with the senator to hear his assurance of support for righteous governance.
Mrs. Marcos, mother of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sen. Imee Marcos, was convicted by the Sandiganbayan on seven counts of violation of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act on November 9, 2018.
The court said that prosecutors were able to establish that she maintained unlawful financial interests in different secret foundations in Switzerland. She was sentenced to six years for each case or a total of 42 years in jail.
Pacquiao also categorically denied that he is entertaining thoughts of withdrawing his candidacy more than halfway into the official campaign period.
“I will see this through. I am running for president of our country because I aim to end the reign of corruption and looting in our government. I intend to put our nation in order,” he said.
