HISTORY will tell that the Philippines has one of the world’s most celebrated democracies today.
On Sept. 21, 1972, former Philippine Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law. For today’s Filipinos, 42 years may seem like another lifetime—a bygone period with sketchy details of what martial law entailed for the people who had to endure it. But for those who lived through the wretched moments of this tumultuous era in Philippine history, the horror and pain live on.
In February 1986, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos joined the nationwide protest that brought People Power Revolution to life. In this historic uprising, the voice of the people resonated through the country, and has been forever etched in the pantheon of Philippine democracy. The People Power Revolution continues to this day, as a reminder to Filipinos of how supporting a common stand can turn them to a formidable moral power. The People Power Revolution ignited the people’s longing for genuine democracy. It is empowered by the will of the people. It gives the citizenry the power to overturn the culture of corruption, unethical conduct, and self-serving antics of politics.
The impact of this period may very well be wiped in Philippine history following the order of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to allow the remains of Former Pres. Marcos to be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery).
“The only requirement of the law is for one to be president . . . that law provides for the burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro said.
Republic Act 289, which provided for the construction of a National Pantheon or the Libingan ng mga Bayani for President of the Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the country states that it was erected “to perpetuate the memory of all the Presidents of the Philippines, national heroes and patriots for the inspiration and emulation of this generation and of generations still unborn.”
The issue has caused a public divide, even among the president and his allies.
“I see the point of the President that if it’s a completely legal issue, he (Marcos) is entitled to it. But the name [of the cemetery] is Libingan ng mga Bayani. While he had heroic moments in his life, we do not consider him in totality heroic because of things that happened during martial law. Unless we change the name to Libingan ng mga Bayani at Diktador,” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.
But for Vice Pres. Leni Robredo, this recent decision is complete disregard of the human and civil rights violations accounted for during the martial law period.
“How can we allow a hero’s burial for a man who has plundered our country and was responsible for the death and disappearance of many Filipinos? Those who have greatly committed crimes and moral turpitude to the Filipino people cannot be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Robredo emphasized.
“This decision will not bring unity to our country; it will only deepen the unhealed wounds of the survivors and family members of victims of the terrible years under the Marcos presidency. Furthermore, his heirs continue to deny that these sins against our people happened. They continue to have no remorse and still prevent the return of the wealth that they stole,” she added.
Groups opposing the planned Marcos burial has brought the issue to the Supreme Court. The High Court has issued a status quo ante order against Marcos’ burial set in September. on Tuesday, Aug. 23. The halt order is effective for 20 days as the court prepares for oral arguments on the petitions against the former president’s final interment at the Heroes’ Cemetery in Taguig.
Until then, Filipinos are once again reminded how the martial law period and lessons of the People Power Revolution have impacted how they live today. (AJPress)
