MANILA, Philippines – Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr said the extended status quo ante order (SQAO) on his father’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) is actually beneficial to their family.

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, October 18, extended for a second time the SQAO on the planned burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos until November 8.

The SC justices had been expected to release their ruling on the burial on Tuesday. (READ: SC orals: How justices pursued issues on Marcos burial)

“Sa aking pananaw, habang tumatagal ang pag-aaral ng mga justice, mas magiging maliwanag na sa batas ay may karapatan ang aking ama na mailibing sa Libingan ng mga Bayani,” the son and namesake of the late strongman told reporters on Tuesday, upon arriving at the SC to meet Ilocanos gathered there.

(In my opinion, the more that the justices deliberate on the issue, it will become clearer to them that the law gives my father the right to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.)

Marcos also said the longer wait for a verdict is not a problem.

“Nakapag-antay na kami ng 23 [na] taon. Siguro naman ilang araw naman ay kaya pa naman naming mag-antay, kaya bayaan na natin ang ating mga justice na pag-isipan,” he said. 

(We’ve been able to wait for 23 years. Of course, we can wait for a few days more so let our justices be.)

“Ako ay naniniwala na sa dulo nito ay sila [ay] sasang-ayon na ilibing ang aking ama sa Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Marcos added.

(I believe that ultimately, they will allow my father to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.)

Irene Marcos Araneta, daughter of the late strongman, also joined her brother in visiting their supporters. 

Supporters’ response 

Loyalists of the Marcos family who have camped outside the SC since Monday, October 17, said they welcome the extension of the SQAO.

Ilocanos who led the vigil had marched for 4 days to reach the SC. (READ: Ilocanos in Manila: Bury ‘Apo Marcos’ at Heroes’ Cemetery) 

“I’m probably 10% dismayed but 90% happy, because we’ll have more time to gather more supporters. I believe we’re not the only ones supporting President Marcos,” said Ilocano youth leader Clyde Panlaque in Filipino.

Panlaque added that other youth volunteers in Ilocos Norte wanted to join the march to Manila, but their classes kept them from participating.

For Charito Nambio, coordinator of the group Friends of Imelda Romualdez Marcos (FIRM), it is just right for the justices to thoroughly study the arguments of both sides.

“[Maaring] naririnig nila sa radyo, sa TV, puro negative ‘di ba. So nagkaro’n kami ng one million signature campaign – sobra-sobra na ‘yun, abot na ‘yan ng 5 million siguro. Maaring pinag-aaralan nila ‘yun,” she said.

(They might have heard plenty of negative news on TV and radio. So we submitted to them our one million signature campaign that actually reached around 5 million. They might be studying it.)

Supporters of the Marcos family submitted a manifestation before the SC containing the one million signatures they gathered through the website change.org. – Rappler.com