MalacaÑang on Wednesday insisted that the late President Ferdinand Marcos will be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani unless the Supreme Court issues a temporary restraining order.
Thus, the question of who will pay for the grand funeral came up.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said he had no information yet on whether the government will shoulder the burial cost.
“With regard to the expenses, that will be my assignment. I’ll find out from [Defense] Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who will do the expenses,” Andanar said.
The SC has scheduled oral arguments on August 24 on the petitions filed by Martial Law victims and their families earlier this week.
Abella reiterated that Duterte will abide by whatever ruling of the SC on the matter.
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that he will attend the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos if his health and schedule will permit.
Duterte made this statement at the arrival of the remains of Navy Petty Officer 3 Darwin Espallardo at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Espallardo is one of the three government troops killed in anti-drug operations in North Cotabato. The others are Corporal Jose Miravalles and Private 1st Class Jaypee Duran of the Philippine Army.
President Duterte reiterated that he allowed the burial of the former dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani “because it is in the law.”
”He was a soldier. As a soldier he is qualified. He is not a hero? Fine. But he was a president and no nobody can deny that,” the President explained.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that while President Rodrigo Duterte was well aware that the Marcos’ remains was allowed back to the country on the condition that he will be buried in his hometown Batac, Ilocos Norte, the government will still allow him a burial “befitting a soldier and a president.”
“[The President] was aware of that, but that is belonging to another administration,” Abella said.
Abella said no official date has been set yet.
The Marcos family reportedly wants the Libingan ng mga Bayani interment to be held on September 18 or just 10 days before his death anniversary.
Duterte promised during the last election campaign that he will allow the Marcos burial at the heroes’ cemetery.
The President has said he will allow the anti-Marcos and civic groups to hold protest rallies as long as they want. He said he will assign a minimum number of cops mainly to address the flow of traffic at the protest sites. With PNA