Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):
October 6, 1998
''Thank God, once again the system works. Justice prevailed!" Former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos said in a statement after the Supreme Court on October 6, 1998 overturned the conviction on charges of corruption.
Earlier, for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Sandiganbayan found her guilty on two corruption charges on September 24, 1993.
She was acquitted on one charge by a Supreme Court panel but upheld her conviction on the second charge, which carried a maximum prison term of 12 years and perpetual disqualification from public office. The panel however allowed Mrs. Marcos to appeal the ruling to the entire Supreme Court, which ruled 8 to 5 in her favor. One of the judges abstained.
Imelda Marcos and former Transportation Minister Jose Dans were accused of working on five improper contracts that involved a commuter railway and the Philippine General Hospital Foundation.
Prosecutors claimed that the leases on rail property to the foundation were awarded at very low rates. Dans was earlier acquitted of the charge.
The Supreme Court said that Mrs. Marcos did not personally sign the lease and that prosecutors did not prove that the rates were ''grossly and manifestly disadvantageous'' to the Government.
The high court said that the court that convicted Mrs. Marcos had violated due process, with unscheduled and informal discussions outside its offices.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: wikipedia.org
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