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 (3rd UPDATE) — The Supreme Court has granted the appeal of former First Lady Imelda Marcos and acquitted her from her 2018 conviction on seven counts of graft, as the prosecution had "failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt."
The ruling, which was dated June 10, 2026 and made public on Wednesday, September 9, reversed the former First Lady's 2018 conviction by the Sandiganbayan 5th Division.
"Accused-appellant Imelda R. Marcos is acquitted for the prosecution's failure to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt," Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda wrote.
The decision sets aside the anti-graft court's ruling that had sentenced Mrs. Marcos to prison for six years and one month to 11 years for each count of graft and her perpetual disqualification to run for public office.
In November 2018, the Sandiganbayan 5th Division found Mrs. Marcos guilty of "using her Cabinet position to maintain Swiss bank accounts during the Marcos regime."
FROM 2018: Imelda Marcos found guilty of graft, faces arrest
The graft cases stemmed from complaints filed in 1991 when prosecutors alleged that the Marcos family channeled public funds into their personal accounts overseas.
The former First Lady served as the Minister of Human Settlements and was a member of the Interim Batasan Pambansa during her husband's presidency and dictatorship from 1965 to 1986.
Her daughter, Sen. Imee Marcos, refused to comment on the ruling, saying she does not know what the decision says.
'DISAPPOINTING DAY'
The August Twenty-One Movement criticized the Supreme Court's decision, calling it a "disappointing day for justice and common decency."
"For decades, Filipinos have looked to the Supreme Court as the last refuge where true and absolute justice can be obtained. Today, we were reminded that the shadow of the conjugal dictatorship never really left our government," ATOM said in a statement on Wednesday night.
"This mirrors the same Supreme Court that gave leeway to the dictator 54 years ago, when it did nothing to stop him from shackling this country after martial law was declared," it added.
"Now, injustice has 'blessed' the other half of the Marcos dictatorship with this gift of dismissal."
Last month, ATOM had refuted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s claim that his family has no ill-gotten wealth, calling him a "purveyor" of false information.
READ: Group refutes Marcos’ claim of no family ill-gotten wealth
Marcos earlier said that he has not been updated on the supposed non-payment of his family’s estate taxes amounting to billions as he is occupied with his mandate as the chief executive.
He said the assets should not be called "ill gotten" as their victory in civil cases prove that the wealth was not illegally acquired.