President Marcos celebrates Supreme Court reversal of his mother's graft conviction

In a decision released on September 9, the Supreme Court reversed the graft conviction of Imelda Marcos, finding that prosecutors failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt regarding her involvement with seven Swiss foundations. The ruling, dated June 10, 2026, ended a legal saga that began with charges filed in 1986. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. welcomed the outcome, saying it removed a long-standing shadow over his family, and voiced his relief at a press conference on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi.

Imelda Marcos had previously been found guilty by the Sandiganbayan in 2018 and sentenced to six to eleven years for each of seven counts, though she never served prison time. When questioned about potential influence on the selection of the next Chief Justice, Marcos Jr. denied any connection, stating it never entered his thoughts. The case highlights ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding the Marcos family.