SC Overturns Imelda Marcos Conviction in 7 Graft Cases
The court said prosecutors failed to prove the Swiss foundations were covered businesses under anti-graft law.
- On Wednesday, the Supreme Court 1st Division acquitted former First Lady Imelda Marcos of seven graft charges, ruling the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
- The high tribunal's decision effectively set aside the Sandiganbayan's 2018 ruling, which had previously sentenced the 97-year-old Marcos to prison and ordered her perpetual disqualification from public office.
- Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda wrote that Swiss documents used as evidence were "inadmissible and lack probative weight," as prosecutors failed to present credible witnesses to attest to their authenticity.
- Judges further determined the prosecution failed to prove the Swiss foundations involved were "businesses" covered by Republic Act 3019, with legal doubts resolved in favor of the accused.
- This acquittal arrives four years into the presidential term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her son, in cases involving allegations of stashing at least $200 million in Swiss assets.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Philippines Supreme Court overturns Imelda Marcos graft convictions in seven cases
MANILA: The Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of Imelda Marcos, former first lady and mother of the sitting president, in seven out of her 10 graft cases after it found that the testimonies and documentary evidence by the prosecution were "inadmissible and lacked probative weight".
SC overturns Imelda Marcos conviction in 7 graft cases
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of Imelda Marcos, former first lady and mother of the sitting president, in seven out of her 10 graft cases after it found that the testimonies and documentary evidence by the prosecution were “inadmissible and lacked probative weight.” In a 50-page decision by the First Division on June 10 but made public only on Tuesday, the high tribunal acquitted Marcos, 97, for the prose…
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