Ex-First Lady Imelda Marcos celebrates 90th birthday in Malacañang of the North

Former First Lady Imelda Marcos celebrated her 90th birthday two days early at Malacañang Ti Amianan (Malacañang of the North) in Paoay, Ilocos Norte on Sunday, according to a report by Athena Imperial on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.

Relatives, friends, and Marcos loyalists trooped to the venue to join in the celebration.

Imelda's birthday cakes featured the projects she spearheaded while her husband Ferdinand was President: the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Quiapo Golden Mosque, Philippine International Convention Center, Manila Film Center, and the Manila International Airport.

"Thank you. You see what I told you—the only things you keep is what you give away. I may be gone but these will be forever," Imelda said, pointing to her birthday cakes.

Her daughter Senator Imee Marcos thanked all those who attended Imelda's party held two days before her July 2 birthday.

"Thank you very much. Napakaraming dumalo para batiin 'yung nanay ko ng 90th birthday. Kung sabagay iilan lang naman ang may pribilehiyong umabot ng nobenta. So nandiyan, 90 years old, kumakanta, sumasayaw," Imee said.

"Tuwang-tuwa siya na mabalik dito sa Ilocos dahil nga dito sila noong bagong kasal bilang kongresista ang tatay ko," she added.

In November 2018, the Sandiganbayan 5th Division found Imelda guilty of seven counts of graft in connection with her alleged financial interests in Swiss-based foundations during her time as Minister of Human Settlements and interim member of Congress.

However, Imelda posted bail of P300,000 while she seeks remedies to overturn her graft conviction.

Meanwhile, after more than 30 years, the Marcos family was able to set foot again in Malacañan Palace in Manila during the oath taking of Imee as senator last Tuesday before President Rodrigo Duterte.

Imee's son Matthew Joseph Manotoc also took his oath then as governor of Ilocos Norte.

Of that visit to the Palace, Imee said: "Ay madalas naman akong pumunta e... Ah with my family. Okay. We just showed them where my room was and it's now become an office. Masaya naman." —KG, GMA News