MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines' anti-corruption court on Friday ordered the arrest of former first lady Imelda Marcos after finding her guilty on seven counts of graft during the two-decade rule of her husband and former dictator, Ferdinand Marcos. Marcos, 89, famous for a huge collection of shoes, jewellery and artwork, is facing dozens of protracted graft cases that have hounded her since her family was toppled in an army-backed popular uprising in 1986. The court ordered Marcos, a congresswoman, to serve six to 11 years in jail for each of the seven counts of graft. She was charged for making seven bank transfers totalling $200 million to Swiss foundations during her term as Manila governor. Marcos and her representatives did not attend the legal hearing on Friday. She could not be reached for comment and text messages and phone calls to her lawyer were not answered. The arrest warrant may not be executed immediately because Marcos can appeal the ruling by the Sandiganbayan … [Read more...] about Philippine court orders arrest of ex-first lady Imelda Marcos for graft
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Imelda Marcos convicted of graft, court orders her arrest
Updated 8:32 pm PST, Thursday, November 8, 2018 In this photo provided by the Office of the Army Chief Public Affairs Headquarters Philippine Army, Imelda Marcos, the widow of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, cries as she receives the Philippine flag from a military officer as their daughter Imee Marcos looks on during a ceremony of his burial at the Heroes' Cemetery in suburban Taguig city, Philippines, Friday, Nov. 18, 2016. less In this photo provided by the Office of the Army Chief Public Affairs Headquarters Philippine Army, Imelda Marcos, the widow of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, cries as she receives the Philippine flag from ... more Photo: HOGP Buy photo Imelda Marcos, widow of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, addresses hundreds of supporters following a mass at his graveyard Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, a day after Marcos was buried in a secrecy-shrouded ceremony at the Heroes' … [Read more...] about Imelda Marcos convicted of graft, court orders her arrest
The Marcos family’s last gasp
Viet Nam News By John Nery* With President Rodrigo Duterte in power, the Marcos family is ascendant in Philippine national politics again. The remains of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos have been buried at the national heroes’ cemetery; his only son and namesake has a live election protest against the incumbent vice president; his eldest daughter Imee, the governor of his home province of Ilocos Norte, is polling well among likely candidates for the Senate; and his wife Imelda, at 89, is on her third term as representative of the Marcos’ old congressional bailiwick. But despite the obvious support of a still-popular president and a slick, long-running, well-funded social media operation promoting the Marcos worldview, the Duterte era may turn out to be the Marcos family’s last gasp. These years may be their last opportunity to win back the presidency and everything that goes with it. It will certainly not be for lack of trying, or the help of friends in high … [Read more...] about The Marcos family’s last gasp
As Philippines’ Duterte starts to flag, his daughter reaches out to a Marcos
By Martin Petty and Manuel Mogato MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte thinks political dynasties are bad. But the way the prevailing political winds are blowing, it looks like a dynasty of his own might be taking shape. Nine months away from mid-term elections that could determine the success or failure of his presidency, his daughter, Sara Duterte, is fast emerging as a power-broker who is aiming to shore up support for his ambitious policy agenda, and, say some experts and insiders, his eventual succession. By his own admission, the 73-year-old president is flagging. On Tuesday, he lamented his uphill struggle to tackle illicit drugs and cut state corruption, predicting that he'll "hardly make a dent" in his remaining four years in office. During a ceremony and again at a dinner afterwards, he said he was tired, exasperated and thinking about quitting, and ended his sombre, one hour, 20 minute speech with: "I'm telling you, I'm ready to step down and retire." That … [Read more...] about As Philippines’ Duterte starts to flag, his daughter reaches out to a Marcos
Philippines’ Duterte could resign if Marcos Jr becomes VP
MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte could step down if the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos succeeds in overturning his 2016 vice presidential election defeat, Duterte's spokesman said on Thursday. Duterte's single term ends in June 2022 and he has spoken often recently about quitting before that. At two separate events on Tuesday he said he was "ready to go", expressing frustration about his failure to tackle illicit drugs and corruption in government. However, he said was reluctant to do that now because a constitutional succession would mean handing power to Vice President Leni Robredo, whom he said was not up to the job. Robredo, who leads the opposition party, was not Duterte's choice for vice president and was elected separately having narrowly defeated Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the son and namesake of the ousted former ruler. Marcos, better known as "Bongbong", has challenged the result alleging fraud. The Supreme Court has ordered a recount, a complex … [Read more...] about Philippines’ Duterte could resign if Marcos Jr becomes VP