Imelda Marcos Gets Bail After Corruption Conviction
On the 16th of November, the former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, was granted bail after convincing a court to postpone her arrest. The move comes a week after she was found guilty of massive graft, leaving her free to mount a potentially long legal battle while stirring accusations of special treatment for the politically influential family.
Key Points
- Marcos, 89, known for shipping shoe hoards and rare artworks, posted 150,000 pesos (about $3,919) as bail.
- The conviction covered seven counts of corruption linked to Swiss bank accounts, with a combined sentence of up to 77 years.
- Despite this, the court has yet to issue an arrest warrant—no explanation has been provided.
- Her lawyers claim she couldn’t attend court because of “multiple organ infirmities.”
- Marcos reportedly learned of the verdict on TV, then hit a birthday party that evening.
- She plans to appeal, and if denied, will take the case to the Supreme Court.
Historical Context
Imelda was a companion of the late Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the Philippines for two decades under martial law. During that period, it’s alleged that billions of dollars were siphoned into real estate, art, offshore accounts, and distributed among a vast network of cronies. After a 1986 uprising, the Marcos family was forced out, only to return to politics in the 1990s.
Political Fallout
The outcome has not gone down well with critics, who say the family enjoys an unfair leniency and has escaped jail time despite a litany of graft cases and the recovery of millions of assets deemed ill‑gotten.
Headline Speaks to the President
President Rodrigo Duterte has maintained close ties with the Marcoses and has praised the late dictator. Recently, his spokesman pointed to the guilty verdict as evidence that the executive branch respects judicial independence.
What’s Next?
Imelda will likely fight the ruling through the appeals system. If she loses, she has the option to bring her case to the highest court in the land. Whether the court will see her as a political liability or grant her another reprieve remains to be seen.
