Imelda leaves for China to meet with investors

MANILA, Philippines - Former first lady, now Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos left yesterday morning for China via Hong Kong on board Cathay Pacific flight CX906 to meet with business investors.

She was accompanied by her two lawyers, a private nurse and close-in security.

Marcos arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 1 at around 8 am, three hours before her 11 am flight and went through normal procedures without any assistance. She stayed at the Cathay Pacific lounge while waiting for boarding at gate 5.

The Sandiganbayan has allowed Marcos to leave the country for a 13-day visit to China from Aug. 20 to Sept. 3.

 She has to seek permission from the Sandiganbayan each time she leaves the country because of the 10 graft cases filed against her before the anti-graft court’s fifth division.

The 81-year-old widow of former president Ferdinand Marcos faces charges of having illegal financial interests in private foundations and businesses while she was a member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1984.

Marcos said she is meeting with businessmen from Metro Millennium Consolidated Building Consultants Inc. and the China Trend Investments Ltd. to encourage them to put up businesses in her congressional district. She said they invited her to visit China, particularly Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Hong Kong.