Neophyte senator Manny Pacquiao said yesterday the public should not consider it a big deal if former President Ferdinand Marcos is laid to rest at the Libi-ngan ng mga Bayani, saying the people should just consider him as a former leader.
Pacquiao said those who opposed Marcos burial at the national heroes cemetery should consider the fact he was elected first before he was accused of committing human rights atrocities during Martial Law.
“I’m in favor of (Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani). He is not a big deal naman. Because he was elected by the people,” Pacquiao told reporters in an interview.
“Huwag naman nating kalimutan din yong mga nagawa niya sa ating bayan, sa ating bansa. Yong mga na-accomplished niya noon during his term,” he added.
Like President Rodrigo Duterte, Pacquiao said he believes the former dictator, despite the brutalities that occurred during his regime, should be buried at the heroes’ cemetery on the basis of his achievements as a president.
“Nahalal din naman siya ng tao. Pero kino-konsidera rin naman natin ’yun (mga nagging biktima ng martial law). Pero alin ang mas nauna, ’yung pagka-elect niya as president or ’yung Martial Law? Di ba, mas nauna yung pag-elect sa kanya as President? So i-consider din natin ’yun,” he pointed out.
He said it is imperative that the country moves on from the past and forgive.
“Kung wala tayong forgiveness, kung wala tayong pagpapatawad sa puso natin ay hindi tayo maka-move on. Kailangan din natin ng forgiveness para tayo ay may kaligtasan. I-count din natin ’yung nagawa din niya,” Pacquiao stressed. (Hannah L. Torregoza)