Imelda seeks Sandigan OK for China trip

Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos has asked the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court to allow her to go to China next week to attend a high-level conference of women leaders in various fields. The 82-year-old widow of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was invited as a VIP guest to the 2011 Financial Times–Women at the Top conference and dinner to be held in Shanghai on Nov. 15. The occasion will coincide with the announcement and publication of the FT 2011 Top 50 Women in World Business Ranking. Marcos has 10 pending graft charges before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division concerning allegations of having unlawful financial interests in private foundations and businesses while she was a member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1984, during which her husband was president. Due to the charges, Marcos has to seek clearance from the court each time she has to leave the country. In his letter to Marcos dated Oct. 7, 2011, Financial Times chief executive officer John Ridding said the event will “bring together world-class thought leaders and decision makers for an exclusive gathering, to discuss the role of women in business, their contributions as drivers of development and growth, and their inspirational legacy as innovators and influencers in the workplace and beyond." Marcos’ counsel, Robert Sison, said the former First Lady has been allowed to travel abroad many times in the past and has always returned as proof that she is not a flight risk. Marcos’ last trip abroad was on Aug. 29 to Sept. 11, 2011 when she visited Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Hong Kong at the invitation of Chinese firms Metro Millenium Consolidated Building Consultants Inc. and the China Triend Investments Ltd. to encourage more investors to put up businesses in the Philippines particularly in her province and congressional district. “Accused has no intention to evade the due course of justice and the processes of this Honorable Court. She has left the country several times in the past and has returned in compliance with the terms and conditions of her permit to travel abroad," Sison said. He added that Marcos has executed waivers of appearance that will allow the trial of her cases to proceed even in her absence. — KBK, GMA News