Marcos 'happy' mom Imelda's graft conviction overturned

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NEW DELHI — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Sunday said that he is "happy" about the Supreme Court's decision to overturn his mother Imelda Marcos's graft conviction.

In its ruling—dated June 10, 2026, but made public on September 9—the Supreme Court overturned the former first lady's conviction over her alleged financial interests in seven Swiss foundations, saying the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

"It's been hanging over our heads for 40 years. All those cases were filed in 1986 and that's how long it's taken. Of course, I'm happy that she does not have to be worries. because she does worry. I'm glad, especially for my mom," the President said at a press conference on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

In 2018, the Sandiganbayan found Imelda, then 89, guilty of seven counts of graft, saying that the Swiss foundations—Maler Establishment, Trinidad Foundation, Rayby Foundation, Palmy Foundation, Vibur Foundation, Aguamina Foundation, and Avertina Foundation—were specifically created to serve as benefactors for its lone recipient, the Marcos family.

It sentenced Imelda to six to 11 years in prison for each count. However, she did not serve any prison time.

When asked about the concerns over the possible influence of this decision in the choice of the next Chief Justice, Marcos said it is not even something that crossed his mind.

"That's the first time I made any connection between the choice of Chief Justice. That will never enter our thinking in any way," he said. — BM, GMA News