MANILA, Philippines – Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos said it was not surprising that former president Benigno Aquino III attended a prayer rally and concert organized to protest a hero’s burial for her father, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

“Eh siyempre karapatan naman nilang magpahiwatig ng kanilang damdamin. And to be expected na yata ‘yung ganun,” said Imee on Monday, November 7.

(Of course, it’s their right to express what they feel. And I think that’s to be expected.) 

The governor granted an interview with reporters before joining hundreds of Marcos loyalists who marched from Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate, Manila to the gates of the Supreme Court (SC), which is expected to release its ruling Tuesday, November 8, on the petitions seeking to stop Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Ahead of the SC verdict, the petitioners and other anti-Marcos protesters gathered on Sunday, November 6, at the Lapu-Lapu Monument in Luneta Park. Among them were Liberal Party bigwigs Aquino and former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Aquino had told reporters that the narratives surrounding Martial Law – a time mired with killings, torture, disappearances, media oppression, and corruption – does not only involve the Aquinos and Marcoses. 

The former president is the son of two political icons who staunchly criticized the Marcos regime – late senator Benigno Aquino Jr and late president Corazon Aquino.

The Aquino patriarch was incarcerated for criticizing the declaration of Martial Law and was later assassinated, while his wife rose to the presidency after leading the EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled Marcos in 1986.

According to Imee, Aquino’s presence during the prayer rally and concert on Sunday is not a threat to her family.  

“Wala naman kaming iniisip na gano’n. Siyempre lahat nagpapahiwatig, kaya hayaan na rin kami na magdasal din at ipadama ang aming tingin at opinyon na may karapatan din ang ama ko,” said Imee.  

(We’re not thinking of anything like that. Of course, everyone is expressing his or her own opinions, so allow us to pray and let people know our view that my father also has his rights.)

No less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself promised to bury Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani because he is a former president and soldier.

But this was opposed by activists and Martial Law victims, prompting petitions to be filed before the High Court. (Read how SC justices pursued issues on Marcos’ burial on days 1 and 2 of oral arguments) 

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines also said that Marcos’ World War II record is “fraught with myths, factual inconsistencies, and lies.” 

For the Marcoses and their supporters, however, a hero’s burial for the late strongman would heal and unite the nation. 

“Sana bigyan na lang natin ang kagustuhan ng nakararami, kung anuman ang hatol ng Supreme Court ay sumang-ayon tayo. At dapat ‘yun nga, ‘yung sinasabi namin dati, ilibing na [si Marcos] para maghilom na, magkaisa na, at mag-move on na ang Pilipinas,” said the governor.

(Let’s consider what most people want and whatever the Supreme Court decides, let’s agree with it. And like what we have been saying, let’s bury Marcos so the country will heal, become united, and the Philippines would be able to move on.) – Rappler.com