DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday, June 12, said he still opposes a hero’s burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, even if President-elect Rodrigo Duterte supports this proposal.

“I’ve already answered that during the campaign, that the president-elect and I have different views on that,” Cayetano, the defeated running mate of Duterte, said in an interview with reporters Sunday.

Cayetano said he is against burying the late dictator in the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) because of “the name alone of the Libingan ng mga Bayani.” 

He said he opposes this proposal “just like any other Filipino.”

Marcos met with Duterte on Friday night, June 10, and personally thanked the president-elect for his plan to “arrange immediately” the burial of the senator’s father in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Marcos said of the plan to give his father a hero’s burial: “I think it will bring closure not only to my family but to the rest of the country.”

Like Cayetano, Marcos lost the vice presidency to administration candidate Leni Robredo.

No to issues that ‘divide’

Asked if he will not formally oppose the proposal to give Marcos a hero’s burial, Cayetano said that “there’s always a perfect time to discuss it.”

“When the debate starts, everyone will have their opportunity to say why they are for and against it, so I’m waiting for that time,” Cayetano said

He added that right now, the focus of Duterte’s team is not on issues that “divide,” but on issues “that will solve problems” such as those involving peace and order. 

Since the campaign days, observers have seen Cayetano and Marcos in a seeming rivalry for Duterte’s support. 

Cayetano on Sunday also commented on reports that Duterte might offer a Cabinet post to Marcos. Cayetano said appointing Cabinet members is Duterte’s prerogative, and that the president-elect wants to appoint “the best and the brightest to his Cabinet.”

When asked if Marcos is among the best and the brightest, Cayetano said: “Tingin ‘nyo ba kakalabanin ko siya kung tingin kong best and the brightest? Natural naman ‘yun. But hindi ako ‘yung appointing power e.” (Do you think I will oppose him if I think he’s among the best and the brightest? That’s natural. But I’m not the appointing power.) – Rappler.com