FORMER solicitor general Estelito Mendoza on Thursday urged those opposing the burial of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani to move on, just as Filipinos did after the atrocities committed by Japan during World War II.
Mendoza, who was the chief state lawyer during the Marcos administration, lamented how the Marcos critics can’t reconcile with his burial, when they had moved on from the atrocities of the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War.
If the people remember the Martial Law years, the people should also remember what happened during World War II, he said.
“The people today, especially the youth, should remember who fought for us against the Japanese,” Mendoza said.
“No one can deny that President Marcos was among the Filipino soldiers who marched in Bataan and were imprisoned during the Japanese occupation,” he added.
Mendoza noted that Libingan ng mga Bayani is principally built for the soldiers and former President Marcos was a soldier.
Ironically, he said, Japan is now back as among the Philippines’ close economic partners.
“Japan is back here [in the Philippines] while we are very happy visiting Japan. If that is so, why can’t we Filipinos reconcile…. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. If we will truly follow what we pray for, I am sure this country will be truly peaceful,” the former solicitor general said.
The Supreme Court will continue on Sept. 7 oral arguments on the petitions seeking to stop the Duterte administration from burying Marcos at Libingan Ng Mga Bayani.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday began oral arguments on whether Marcos should be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Martial Law victims said the former dictator should not be allowed to be interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani because he should not be emulated.
Marcos burial has been scheduled on Sept. 18 and preparations were already underway until the Supreme Court issued a status quo ante order.
The 15-member bench will hear the arguments of the government on Sept. 7.