For his dictatorial rule marred by violence and human rights abuses, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos will never be given a hero’s burial under the watch of President Aquino, Malacañang said yesterday.
And if the country’s next President plans to do otherwise, he or she would have a lot of explaining do, Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.
Coloma explained the President’s decision against Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City is “based on his firm belief and conviction on the primacy of justice.”
“The late President Marcos never apologized for the violence and oppression that characterized Martial Law and the dictatorship,” Coloma said in a text message.
“If the next President does not believe in the guiding principles upon which President Aquino decided not to allow the transfer of former President’s remains to Libingan ng mga Bayani, then he or she will have to justify that decision to the people,” he added.
The burial issue has been revived following the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the popular uprising that toppled the Marcos dictatorship. Some poll candidates have offered their positions on the proposed hero’s burial for Marcos if elected into office. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)
