Short memories in Manila

She has been vilified as the woman who shamefully spent state money on shopping sprees, while most of her countrymen wallowed in abject poverty.

She is reputed to have enormous wealth deposited in several secret Swiss bank accounts, which the Philippine government is trying to recover.

She is currently facing numerous criminal and civil cases and, if convicted, could spend the rest of her life in prison.

To Imelda Marcos' political opponents, her existence epitomizes the enormous corruption that one is capable of committing, as well as the extent of vanity that is exemplified by her innumerable shoes.

To her supporters, many of whom ironically come from the poor, she represents hope and serves as an inspiration for them in their constant struggle to escape a life marked by misery and drudgery.

It is amazing, indeed, how fortunes can change in Philippine politics.

At the start of Ferdinand Marcos' 22 year rule as president, Imelda was nothing more than a pretty face, whose soprano voice was to liven up drab political rallies and break the monotony of her husband's fierce oratories during campaign sorties.

She also had the uncanny and uncommon ability to genuinely attract people and make them believe that she was concerned with their plight.

This only complemented Marcos' charisma and political acumen.

Now plainly known as the widow of the former dictator, Imelda Marcos is back in the political limelight after the Philippine Supreme Court ruled that she is qualified to sit in Congress as representative of her home province.

There are so many questions that have to be answered.

How could someone with such a tattered reputation possibly win a seat in the Philippine legislature?

Have the people forgotten the excesses of Imelda and her family?

Does her victory in some way indicate the rehabilitation of the Marcoses?

No, people have not changed their perception of Imelda.

And neither does the High Court's decision vindicate the Marcos name, for their crimes are not morally pardonable.

But it can be argued that many others, politicians included, have probably committed the same crime on a lesser, or greater extent.

Many Filipinos may want to forgive the Marcoses and forget this sad part of Philippine history.

That does not, however, include the dictatorship's victims.

Maybe this is what the quirks and twists of democracy are all about.

-- The Nation, Bangkok