The Sandiganbayan allowed former first lady Imelda Marcos to post bail pending her appeal because of old age and frail health—taking a cue from the precedent set by the Supreme Court in the case of former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile. “Taking into account primarily the fact that she is of advanced age and for health reasons, consistent with the doctrine in Enrile vs. Sandiganbayan, bail is allowed for these seven cases,” read the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division’s Nov. 28 order shown to reporters on Monday. ADVERTISEMENTThe Supreme Court’s controversial August 2015 decision — penned by now Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin — allowed Enrile to walk out of detention while awaiting trial for the nonbailable case of plunder, due to “special, humanitarian and compelling circumstances.”The high court cited “the fragile health and advanced age of Enrile,” who was then 91. Now 94, Enrile is running for senator while his P172.8-million plunder case has yet to reach the trial stage. Stressful conditionsMarcos was required by Rule 120 of the Rules of Court to file the motion to justify her absence from the Nov. 9 promulgation of her verdict.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 03, 2018 21:33 UTC