Imelda Marcos not barred from 2019 elections, says Comelec

MANILA – Former First Lady Imelda Marcos is not yet disqualified from the 2019 midterm elections despite a Sandiganbayan division verdict that perpetually disqualifies her from any elective position.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner James Jimenez said that Marcos is still a candidate for Ilocos Norte governor since the Sandiganbayan decision is not yet final and executory.

“This is not a final conviction yet, so it is not disqualifying,” Jimenez said in a Twitter post when asked by a netizen if Marcos’ conviction is grounds for disqualification.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division recently ordered Marcos’ arrest and subsequent detention for violating Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Marcos was also perpetually disqualified from holding any public office with the conviction, for the case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in December 1991.

Marcos was charged for allegedly having financial or pecuniary interest in and participating in the management of several foundations despite a constitutional prohibition during her time as a member of Interim Batasang Pambansa.

Marcos was the minister of human settlements from 1976 to 1986 and concurrent Metro Manila governor from 1978 to 1984 when she transferred around $200 million to seven Swiss foundations.

This is the second Sandiganbayan conviction of Imelda Marcos after she was ordered arrested by the anti-graft court in 1993 for two counts of graft. The former First Lady was acquitted by the Supreme Court in 1998.

SOURCE: Panay News

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