Palace to Marcos bailiwick: You're not forgotten

MANILA, Philippines - While the feud between the Aquino and the Marcos families has yet to end, Malacañang assured on Friday that the government has not forgotten the bailiwick of the late dictator.

In a press briefing, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte declined to comment on whether President Aquino will ever reconcile with their political rivals.

Valte said only the President can provide an answer since the issue is "too personal" for him.

"I-assure lang po natin ang mga kababayan natin na Ilokano na hindi naman po kayo nakakalimutan ng Pangulong Aquino," Valte said.

She also pointed out that Aquino had spoken to Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos in the past, and both had been "very civil."

The incumbent governor is the daughter of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

During the Marcos regime, President Aquino's father and namesake was a member of the opposition who imprisoned when Martial Law was declared.

He was assassinated in August 1983 upon his return to Manila from a three-year self-imposed exile. His death fueled the first People Power revolution in 1986 that led to Marcos' ouster.

President Aquino had admitted that he then wanted to get back at the fallen dictator after his father's death.

Read: Aquino wanted revenge against Marcos

On Tuesday, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. called for an end to the long-standing Marcos-Aquino feud.

He told radio dwIZ that the two families should get past their issues because the actual feud was between his father and the elder Aquino.

Malacañang said yesterday, however, that the issue is not about a family quarrel but about seeking justice for victims of human rights violations during Martial Law.

"Kung susuriin natin ang mga pahayag ni Pangulong Aquino, hindi siya sang-ayon doon sa proposisyon na ito ay sa pagitan ng pamilya dahil ang kanyang katugunan ay patungkol sa kahalagahan ng pagkamit ng katarungan para sa mga mamamayan. So, ito ay hindi usaping pamilya. Ito ay usapin ng katarungan," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a press briefing.