Should Marcos finally be buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani?
It’s ironic that the burial of President Ferdinand Marcos issue is still alive decades after his death. Until President Benigno Aquino III makes his official stand on the issue of whether Marcos, his father’s rival, should finally be laid to rest at Libingan Ng Mga Bayani, it will surely be raised again in 2016 if P-Noy decides not to allow it.
Personally, I feel it’s been long enough and that Marcos having served as no less than the president of our country should be finally laid to rest at Libingan but it’s certainly not a view shared by my younger brother, Erwin, who is also a writer and an editor for the STAR. Whatever decision P-Noy makes will always be contentious.
Given that the President enjoys the trust of a majority of our countrymen, his formal view on the matter will be eagerly awaited. “The true leader strives to bring the situation into conformity with his ideals,” wrote Ninoy Aquino from his jail cell in 1973.
Twenty-five years later, P-Noy’s father’s words still resonate and will surely weigh heavily on how he chooses to act on this matter.
Juana Change, activist
Pwede mag suggest? Masyadong cheap para sa isang dakilang katulad ni Marcos ang Libingan ng mga Bayani. Pang world-class kasi siya. Dapat siyang ihanay sa mga kauri niya: Idi Amin, Saddam Hussein, Ceausescu! Request ko lang sana magtabi sila ni Hitler at si Khadaffy ilibing na buhay. Pwede? Itago natin ang pangalan ng libingan yan sa Libingan Ng Mga Bayaning Huwad! Wheee!
Atty. Argee Guevarra, lawyer-activist
If FM is allowed burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, let those martyred during the darkness of the dictatorship rise from their graves and rage in defiance. Such an idea can only rise from the graves of our shallow memory. Such a ghastly thought defiles the memories of those maimed, murdered and martyred in our struggle against tyranny —Edgar Jopson, Billy Begg, Felimon and Hermon Lagman, Lorena Barros, Ninoy Aquino, Cesar Climaco, Macliing Dulag, Ditto Sarmiento, Dr. Bobby dela Paz, Lorenzo Tañada, Jose W. Diokno, Lean Alejandro, Medardo Arce, Rizalina Ilagan, Lourdes Garduce and the countless others who served and sacrificed without asking anything in return. These heroes justly deserve a place at Libingan ng mga Bayani, not Ferdinand Marcos. There is too much historical revisionism taking place and such an idea as FM’s burial in Libingan ng mga Bayani is as revolting as the thought of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being canonized as a saint!
Rep. Maria Milagros “Mitos” H. Magsaysay, 1st District, Zambales
Allowing him or not should be based on if President Marcos fits the requirements and criteria of those that could be buried there.
La Union Governor Manuel C. Ortega
Indeed, President Marcos had various socio-economic and physical infrastracture accomplishments or achievements benefitting many Filipinos even up to the present time. Ironically, his mortal remains are still waiting to be buried — “to finally rest in peace” — due to misguided, unreasonable and perhaps vengeful politics by those in power which also is a cause of the continuing political divide in the country. I strongly favor his burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani; it’s befitting a former president of the Philippines who, despite his failures, has also greatly served the Filipino people in various capacities. As president, his greatest achievement was in infrastructure development and international diplomacy. President Noynoy Aquino can now demonstrate the real meaning of political unity and reconciliation and tuwid na daan by approving the burial of President Marcos. This is my fervent wish and prayer.
Noel Tolentino, businessman
I am afraid this is now a debate question. Having allowed Angelo Reyes amid doubts about his integrity and honor, what leg does anyone have to stand on to disallow the burial of Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani? Unless you subdivide the burial grounds into gradations of real heroes or doubtful heroes or worse heroes or scoundrels, then this might make sense. We are to blame as a people for mucking up what should be considered sacred ground.
Former Senator Aquilino “Nene” Q. Pimentel Jr.
That’s the solution to the problem posed by those who opposed the burial of Reyes and Marcos at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani at iba pa.
Liza Maza, vice president, Makabayan People’s Coalition/chairperson, Gabriela Women’s Alliance
Given the symbolic significance of the issue, I don’t think that the former dictator should be laid to rest at Libingan ng mga Bayani. In the first place, EDSA 1 is a total rejection of Marcos and his corrupt, fascist and dictatorial rule. No way can he be considered a hero. Burying him at Libingan will be a mockery of “People Power” that has continued to inspire people around the world fighting against dictatorships.
Kitchie Benedicto Paulino, CEO/producer/director KN Entertainment Unlimited, Inc
Yes! He was a war hero and that should not be forgotten. His medals were earned and (the rumor of) their being fake is so untrue. He deserves to be laid to rest at Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Rep. Eulogio “Amang” Magsaysay, Ave List Partylist
While accused of committing atrocities, he showed true leadership, most particularly during the infancy of his rule. Without taking anything away from the people he allegedly wronged, it is my humble belief that we can go ahead and bury him at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
