The Supreme Court will decide today whether or not former President Ferdinand Marcos can be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
Six petitions tried to stop President Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier pronouncements that he would allow the interment of the late strongman, whose remains now lie in a mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte. The petitioners argued that the burial of Marcos at the Libingan would be illegal and contrary to law, public policy, morals and justice.
The government, however, argued that as former president and duly recognized soldier and war veteran, Marcos is entitled to such a burial. Interment would not necessarily rewrite history and turn him into a hero.
An extended status quo ante order, which the High Court issued to buy itself time to resolve the case on its merits, expires today.
The issue has festered for many years. Interment at the Libingan—translated as a Cemetery for Heroes—has become an emotional issue for Filipinos given the memory of martial law. Vociferous objection to the idea of Marcos’ burial there has been all over social media for the last few years.
Meanwhile, President Duterte, during his campaign, said he would allow the burial to finally put the issue at rest. He won by a decisive plurality anyway. His friend, Marcos’ son, placed second in the still-contested vice presidential race.
Everybody has said his piece on the matter and no further arguments have surfaced. It’s the Supreme Court’s turn to speak, as it is expected today. However it decides, we trust that the magistrates have weighed all the implications of their decision. They are not described as “erudite” for no reason. The court is also described as the “court of last resort.”
There is already much discord in this country, and on many fronts. The Marcos issue must be laid to rest. Let us hear the ruling and proceed from there.