‘We’re not interested’

LAOAG CITY — "I don’t think anybody in the family is particularly interested."

This was how Ilocos Norte Gov. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. reacted to reported plans to restore the huge bust of his father in Tuba, Benguet that communist rebels blasted last Dec. 29.

"It’s not really of great concern to us," he said.

Bongbong said his late father, in fact, abhorred the monument, adding that personal aggrandizement was not his old man’s forte.

"Nainis siya (He was irked) when he first went up (and saw the monument)," he said.

Bongbong said that while the bust was "interesting to see," the Marcoses never really felt any connection to the structure, which he said was put up without his father’s permission.

He did not say who erected the bust but it is widely believed that the late Tourism Secretary Jose Aspiras was behind it.

Noted faith healer and former Baguio City mayor Ramon Labo Jr. earlier aired plans to restore the bust, reportedly with the assistance of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos whom he referred to as his ninang (godmother).

Bongbong lauded Labo for his offer, "but I don’t know what (he has) decided with my mother."

"It’s very nice of him because I think nagmamagandang-loob yung tao," he said.

Bongbong said he believes that the New People’s Army was not behind the blasting of the bust, but likely treasure hunters.

"Kasi matagal ng sinasabing may ginto doon (They have been saying there’s gold there)," he said.

"What would they (NPA) achieve (in blasting it)?" he asked, saying that communist rebels could have used the explosives "for something more deadly."

The NPA, however, has claimed responsibility for the attack on the late strongman’s bust which it said was a grim reminder of the martial law regime.