PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will not meddle in the graft conviction of former first lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos, Malacañang said on Thursday, November 15.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said, however, that Marcos, like other friends of Duterte, may just get a visit from the President in jail.
"I mean, kaibigan ka niya, 'pag may kailangan ka tutulungan ka niya pero hanggang doon na lang ‘yun (I mean, if he is your friend and you need help, he will help you. But that ends there)," Panelo said.
"Halimbawa nakulong ka, bibisitahin kita, parang ganoon. Galit siya sa mga nagva-violate ng law (If you get jailed, he might just visit you. That's it. Those who violate the law irk him)," Panelo said.
The 89-year-old Marcos was found guilty by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division of seven counts of graft. The court verbally ordered her arrest on November 9, but the anti-graft court on November 13 deferred the issuance of an arrest warrant against Marcos after her camp filed a motion for leave of court to avail herself of "post-conviction remedies."
There were speculations that Duterte might grant full pardon to Marcos, but Malacañang dismissed the claim as "purely speculative."
Panelo said it is just a matter of perception that Duterte is close to the Marcos family.
"Alam mo 'yung closeness na sinasabi niyo perceived lang 'yun. Ang pagkakakilala ko sa taong ito ay hindi siya naapektuhan ng closeness (You know, the closeness they are saying is merely perceived. From how I know the President, he is not affected by closeness)," the Palace official said.
"Hindi siya makikialam. Eh ibang klaseng Presidente ‘to, 'di ba? Hindi naman siya nakikialam pagdating diyan. Hayaan mo na ung courts kasi unang-una hindi pa naman final (He will not interfere. This is a different kind of President., isn't he? He does not meddle when it comes to cases like that. Let the courts decide since her case is not yet final)," he added.
Marcos was convicted for using her Cabinet position during the reign of her late husband, dictator Ferdinand Marcos, to maintain Swiss bank accounts.
She was sentenced to a minimum of six years and one month to a maximum prison sentence of 11 years for each count of graft.
Marcos, who is running for governor in Ilocos Norte in the 2019 polls, was also perpetually disqualified from public office. (SunStar Philippines)