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The anti-graft court ordered on Friday the arrest of Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos after it found her guilty for seven counts of graft.
The 89-year-old Marcos was sentenced to imprisonment for a minimum of six years to a maximum of 11 years.
The Sandiganbayan said the former first lady can have a provisional liberty if she posts a cash bond while appealing the conviction.
Marcos, who is running for Ilocos Norte governor in the 2019 elections, was also perpetually disqualified from holding public office. But Ombudsman Prosecutor Rey Quilala said she can still run until the Sandiganbayan's decision becomes final and executory.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed 10 graft cases in 1991, stemming from the alleged private organizations Marcos created in Switzerland from 1968 to 1984 while she held various posts in government. The widow of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos served as the Minister of Human Settlement, Metro Manila Governor, and a member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa, the legislature during the Marcos regime.
The Ombudsman prosecutor said the Marcos family had "financial interest" in the seven Swiss foundations they created, which is pegged to amount to $200 million.
"Nagkaroon po siya ng financial interests sa mga foundations na ito. As to the amount, paiba-iba po kasi but it involves 7 Swiss foundations, tapos kinu-close yung ibang foundation, ita-transfer sa ibang foundation, and then close it again, transfer sa ibang foundation. Na-trace po 'yung flow ng pera," he said in an ambush interview on Friday.
Meanwhile, the court's fifth division acquitted her in three counts of graft.
Her daughter, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, said they have yet to know the details of her mother's conviction. No representative from the Marcos camp was present during the proceedings.
Hope in the judiciary
Former human rights chair and martial law survivor Etta Rosales lauded the Sandiganbayan Fifth Divison for upholding their constitutional mandate, even if it took them two long decades to issue a verdict.
"I'm surprised but very pleasantly surprised, because two decades iyan. It has always been an uphill struggle , then all of a sudden, here it is after so much work. You can see that the local courts somehow are trying to establish their independence," she told CNN Philippines on Friday.
She added, "It may have taken two decades and that is a bit too long. But still, they did not give up and that is what counts."
Former Senator Rene Saguisag also welcomed the decision of the anti-graft court. However, he believes Marcos should not be put to jail considering her old age.
"Hallelujah! About time, indeed, long past time. But, I am not certain Imelda should be jailed. Conviction is enough humiliation," he said.
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