Marcos conviction ‘good reminder’ to gov’t servants: Palace

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Secretary Salvador S. Panelo holds a press briefing for the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) at the New Executive Building (NEB) in Malacañang. (Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

MANILA – Former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos’ graft conviction serves as a “good reminder” that public servants are all accountable to the people, Malacañang said Friday.

“We treat this decision by the anti-graft court as a good reminder to all public servants that public office is a public trust and that we are all accountable to the people we serve,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press statement.

“As servants of the people, we must therefore carry out our duties, not only with professionalism and fidelity but most importantly, with integrity,” he added.

On Friday, the Sandiganbayan’s 5th Division found the 89-year-old widow of the late strongman, Ferdinand Marcos, guilty of seven counts of graft for making seven bank transfers involving public funds to private foundations in Switzerland during her term as Metro Manila governor.

The special anti-graft court sentenced Marcos to six to 11 years imprisonment for each of the seven counts and disqualified her from holding any public post.

Panelo said the executive branch respected the Sandiganbayan’s decision as ir proves that the Philippines has a working and impartial justice system.

“The Executive Branch is not in the business of exerting undue interference or influence in the affairs of another separate and independent branch of the government,” said Panelo, also the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

“While we note that there are still legal remedies available to Congresswoman Marcos, this latest development underscores that our country currently has a working and impartial justice system that favors no one,” he added.

Marcos was charged with 10 counts of graft in 1991 for her alleged interests and participation in the management of some private foundations in Switzerland from 1978 to 1984.

The questionable foundations were the Vibur Foundation, Maler Establishment, Trinidad Foundation, Rayby Foundation, Palmy Foundation, Aguamina Foundation, and Avertina Foundation.

Marcos, a former minister of human settlements, Metro Manila governor, and member of the Interim Batasan Pambansa, was prohibited by law to take part in such businesses.