Supreme Court Overturns Imelda Marcos's Graft Conviction; President Marcos Jr. Expresses Happiness

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. expressed happiness over the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the graft conviction of his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos. In a ruling dated June 10, 2026, and made public on September 9, the Supreme Court overturned the former first lady's conviction related to alleged financial interests in seven Swiss foundations, stating that 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 worried. 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. The court said 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. She was sentenced to six to 11 years in prison for each count. However, she did not serve any prison time. When asked about concerns that this decision might influence the choice of the next Chief Justice, Marcos said it was not 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.