The Sandiganbayan has asked one of the lawyers of Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos to explain his absence at the proceedings on the graft cases involving the former first lady.
“Atty. Robert Sison is ordered to explain within five days from notice why he should not be fined for his failure to appear at Marcos lawyer…[Friday’s] hearing,” the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division said in its order on Friday but was released on Monday.
READ: Imelda asks court for ‘leave’, seeks legal remedies
Associate Justice Rafael Lagos checked on Sison’s presence during last week’s proceedings, but his co-counsel, former Government Corporate Counsel Manuel Lazaro, said Sison was still sick.
Sison is Marcos’ lead counsel in the graft case in which she was convicted due to her “financial interests and participation in the management of private foundations in Switzerland” when she served as a Cabinet official during her late husband’s term.
Sison, along with Marcos, failed to attend the promulgation of her cases on Nov. 9.
Last Friday, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division allowed Marcos to post P150,000 bail for her temporary liberty.
READ: Imelda to challenge graft court’s decision
Marcos said she would have attended the hearing on her case on Nov. 9 despite being sick had she known the schedule.
The P150,000 bail bond is the same amount that Marcos posted in 1991, which was forfeited following her failure to attend the Nov. 9 promulgation of her cases.
The 89-year-old Marcos earlier apologized at the Sandiganbayan about her non-appearance on Nov. 9, citing health reasons.
She also said her absence during the promulgation did not mean she disrespected the court.
