THE blitzkrieg burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani of the remains of the late President Ferdinand Marcos has aroused fears of more surprises from the Supreme Court.
Among those fears is a bona fide nightmare for those who experienced two decades of the Marcos dictatorship: the proclamation of Bongbong Marcos as vice-president in lieu of Leni Robredo and his eventual ascension to the presidency.
After the People Power revolution of 1986, it seemed unthinkable to those naïve in the ways of Philippine politics that the Marcoses could ever make a comeback. They grossly underestimated the tenacity of the clan, the unwavering loyalty of the Marcos supporters, and the “flexibility” of the Philippine system of justice.
Shortly after she was allowed to return to the Philippines by then President Corazon Aquino, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos ran for president in the 1992 elections. She lost but in the same election, Bongbong Marcos won as representative of the 2nd congressional district of Ilocos Norte.
The Marcos comeback had begun in earnest.
In 1993, four years after his death in Honolulu, the remains of Ferdinand Marcos were allowed back to the Philippines by then President Fidel V. Ramos. The remains were kept in a refrigerated crypt and set up for public display in Ilocos Norte, with a plan for eventual internment in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Expectedly, cries of “No hero’s burial!”and “Never again!” reverberated across the country. But loud protests never deterred the Marcoses, particularly Imelda. She wasn’t called The Iron Butterfly for nothing.
In 1995, Imelda ran for the 1st congressional district of Leyte and won, while Imee Marcos, the eldest daughter, won as representative of the 2nd district of Ilocos Norte in 1998. She served until 2007 after which Bongbong took over the congressional seat.
In 2010, he ran for Senator and won while yielding his congressional seat to Imelda. Meanwhile, Imee won as governor of Ilocos Norte.
In this year’s national elections, Bongbong ran for Vice-President and narrowly lost to Leni Robredo. His case is now on appeal with the Supreme Court.
To say that the Marcoses have made a comeback may be an understatement. The fact that Bongbong was leading in the public opinion polls and was expected to win the vice-presidency delivered a clear message: the horrors of Marcos rule was no longer relevant to the post-martial law generation.
The assumption of the presidency by Rodrigo Duterte just made matters worse or, to put it another way, just put the Marcos game plan on a fast track.
Imelda Marcos has made it clear that she wants her son to become president – and she is firm in her belief that whatever Imelda wants, Imelda gets.
However, there could be a hitch in the objective of installing Bongbong as president, if Duterte refuses to cooperate. Having tasted power, it is unlikely that Duterte will give it up, no matter what the incentives might be.
But one can never underestimate the creativity of the Marcoses. They epitomize the maxim, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Duterte may one day realize that he created a monster by allowing the burial of Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani and encouraging the electoral appeal of Bongbong.
Interestingly, in April 1995, a month before Imelda ran for Congress, I wrote a column entitled, “Future Shock: 2086,” that “predicted” the resurgence of the political fortunes and the national dominance of the Marcoses.
Many of the things I envisioned – fancifully, I should clarify – eventually happened. Who knows what other scenarios will come true?
Read on. But I should caution you – you could have nightmares.
FUTURE SHOCK: 2086
April 19, 1995
Was there a People Power Revolution in 1986? What was it all about? You mean, it dismantled a corrupt, ruthless, greedy dictatorship and replaced it with an honest, dedicated, progressive democracy? Talaga?
And who was the corrupt, ruthless, greedy dictator whom the revolutionaries drove away? Ferdinand Marcos?
How is he related to Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr? You know, the one who’s being groomed for President.
You mean, the Dictator had a ruthless, greedy, extravagant and ambitious wife? Imelda Romualdez Marcos?
How is she related to Congresswoman Imelda of the First District of Leyte? The new Speaker of the House? Same person?
Teka, teka1, I am a little confused. Was there or wasn’t there a revolution that drove away a corrupt, ruthless, greedy dictatorship?
You’re not sure anymore?
What about that fellow after whom the International Airport is named? Was he really assassinated by military minions of the dictator?
Hindi mo rin sigurado2? What about his wife?
Yes, the one who became the first woman President of the Philippines? Cory Aquino, right?
No, no, I am not talking about the mother of the movie actress who had a love child by Philip Salvador. I am talking about the heroine of the revolution of 1986.
Anooo? The only historical record you can find is about the mother of a certain Kris?
Flash forward: The year 2086. The First Centennial of the People Power Revolution is celebrated. President Ferdinand Marcos IV, great grandson of the sublime hero of that historic event, is scheduled to dedicate a new monument to his illustrious ancestor.
The monument will replace an old stone edifice for an obscure martyr named Rizal. Rizalites are trying desperately to save the martyr from the dustbin of history by having the international airport named after him.
Impressive dedication ceremonies will be held at the Marcos Grandstand on Imelda Park on Erap Blvd. (Formerly Roxas Blvd.). A reenactment of the People Power Revolt will be staged in which the dramatic flight of the heroic Marcos family from the rampaging “Yellow Guards” will be traced.
President Ferdinand Marcos IV is expected to announce a new package of benefits for the people of the Philippines. All male quarry workers will have a half day off from building the Marcos monument.
All women and children will be allowed to eat a second meal a day for the entire week of the People Power celebration. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)
