Palace: SC ruling on Imelda won’t affect chief justice selection

MANILA, Philippines — Palace press officer Claire Castro on Friday dismissed speculations that the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to overturn the 2018 conviction of former first lady Imelda Marcos on seven counts of graft could influence President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s selection of the next chief justice.

The speculation came after three members of the SC First Division that ruled on the case were considered among the frontrunners to succeed Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. They are Associate Justices Jhosep Lopez, Henri Jean Paul Inting, and Mario Lopez.

READ: SC overturns Imelda Marcos conviction in 7 graft cases for weak evidence

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In a 50-page decision issued by the First Division on June 10 but made public only on Tuesday, the high tribunal acquitted the 97-year-old former first lady, citing the prosecution’s “failure to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt” for violating Section 3(h) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

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The cases stemmed from Swiss foundations that she and her late husband, dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., created and allegedly used to stash at least $200 million abroad while she was a member of the defunct Batasang Pambansa, governor of Metro Manila, and minister of human settlements.

At a briefing in New Delhi, India, Castro said Malacañang respects the decision, noting that the SC is the “final arbiter of legal disputes.”

“But the government, the administration, always respects whatever decision the Supreme Court makes,” she said.

Regarding speculations about how the decision could affect Marcos’ choice of the next chief justice, Castro said the claims were baseless and reflected a lack of respect for the SC.

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“It is normal for critics to look for issues they can raise. Most of these, however, have no basis,” the Palace official said.

“This kind of criticism reflects their lack of respect for the Supreme Court, as well as their lack of respect for the judgment and independence of our justices in the Supreme Court,” she also said. /das