Bongbong thanks Duterte for favoring Libingan burial of father

MANILA, Philippines – Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he is deeply grateful for the statement of presumptive president Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte favoring burial of his father late President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“It has always been our family's position that it is our father's right under the law to be buried there being a soldier and a former President of this country,” the younger Marcos said.

“We would like to thank President Duterte for this kind, rightful and healing gesture,” he added.

On Monday evening, Duterte said he will allow the burial of the late president Marcos, possibly on his 99th birth anniversary on September 11, in an effort to “erase hatred” among Filipinos. He said the burial is not a hero’s burial but recognition of Marcos’s service as a soldier.

Duterte also mentioned that the issue on Marcos’s burial divided the people.

Bongbong hailed Duterte saying his pronouncement is one with their campaign to achieve unity in the country.

“Our campaign has always been towards achieving unity to move the country forward. And it is this kind of pronouncement that we hope could end the decades of divisiveness that have been imposed upon us by our leaders,” Bongbong said.

The former president Marcos passed away due to kidney, heart and lung complications while in exile in Hawaii on Sept. 28, 1989. His remains were brought to the Philippines in 1993 and have since been placed in an air-conditioned tomb at the Marcos kin mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte.