Imelda Marcos temporarily free as Sandiganbayan decides on her appeal for post-conviction remedies

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16) — Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos is a free woman for now after she posted a bail of P150,000 on Friday. The Sandiganbayan allowed her to post bail while it is still deciding whether or not to grant her appeal for post-conviction remedies.

The former first lady attended the hearing of her motion to be able to access legal remedies on her graft conviction after she failed to appear at her promulgation on November 9 despite the Sandiganbayan's notice, which the court initially said was "unjustified."

Marcos — who was accompanied by her children Bongbong, Imee, and Irene during the hearing — was called to the the witness stand following her inconsistent reasons for not showing up at the court when the court announced its decision on her graft cases.

She told Sandiganbayan she missed the promulgation because she didn't know about it, saying her cook placed the court notice on the desk of her secretary who was on leave. She said she only found out about her promulgation on the news — on the same day she was found guilty for committing seven counts of graft.

She added the day before the court decision, she was suffering from high-blood pressure and dizziness, which led her to wake up late on promulgation day.

In the Motion for Leave of Court to Avail of Post-Conviction Remedies that her lawyer filed on November 12, the only reason they cited was the 89-year-old Marcos was "indisposed."

Related: Imelda Marcos cites health issues for skipping court sentencing on graft case

But, on the night of the case's promulgation that she skipped, she was photographed at the birthday party of Imee in San Juan.

The former first lady of late President and strongman Ferdinand Marcos was confronted by Sandiganbayan Fifth Division Chairman Rafael Lagos on the controversial party, pointing out she even traveled from Makati to San Juan just to attend the festivities.

Marcos defended herself, saying Imee insisted she attend her birthday party.

"I only attended because my eldest, this is her birthday. She was crying and begging," Marcos said.

A confused Lagos then asked Marcos for the real reason behind her absence, to which she replied that she didn't not know.

LOOK: Imelda Marcos parties with Sara Duterte, officials on night of conviction

The court has to approve this motion first before she can file a motion to reverse her conviction. If her reason is not accepted, the court may opt to cancel her bail or order her arrest.

She also has to request for the reinstatement of her bail that she posted in 1991, as it was already canceled upon her conviction.

The anti-graft court on November 9 sentenced Marcos — known for her penchant for designer shoes and jewelry — to a maximum of 77 years in jail for profiting from the foundations she and her husband established in Switzerland while working for the government.

CNN Philippines correspondent Carolyn Bonquin contributed to this report.