Former First Lady Imelda Marcos arrives at the Manila Hotel to show support to her daughter incumbent senator Imee Marcos as she files her Certificate of Candidacy on October 2, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — The Supreme Court acquitted former First Lady Imelda Marcos, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s mother, in her graft cases because of questions on evidence and because foundations linked to her were not "business interests", the court's spokesperson said.
In a briefing, Atty. Camille Ting said that evidence in the seven graft cases had not been "authenticated properly under the Rules of Court" and that the foundations involved "were not considered business interests because they were not earning income."
SC acquits Imelda Marcos after reversal of 2018 graft conviction
The case stemmed from graft charges filed against Marcos over her alleged financial interests in and management of several foundations based in Switzerland while she was a government official while her husband, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was president.
In November 2018, the Sandiganbayan found Marcos guilty on seven counts of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The anti-graft court imposed prison terms ranging from six years and one month to 11 years for each count.
Marcos appealed the conviction before the Supreme Court, which eventually overturned the decision.