MANILA, Philippines – Hundreds of supporters of the late President Ferdinand Marcos held a prayer vigil a day before the Supreme Court (SC) is to decide on the petitions barring a hero’s burial for the late dictator.

Marcos loyalists, clad in black shirts bearing the former president’s face and the hashtag “#IlibingNa” first gathered at the Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate, Manila before marching to the SC gates on Monday afternoon, November 7.

The supporters, collectively called the “Pray for Pr8 (Pro 8)” movement, come from the following groups: United Team BBM, Kabataang Barangay, Marcos Loyalists Cavite, QC, Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Bulacan, Friends of Imelda R Marcos, Tamaraw Riders, Maharlika Group, BBM Youth Movement, Apo Group, and Helping Hands Organization. 

They were joined by Marcos’ daughter, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos. (READ: Aquino in anti-Marcos rally? ‘That’s expected’ – Imee Marcos)

The group is urging the SC justices to allow Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

President Rodrigo Duterte had promised a hero’s interment for Marcos during the campaign period because the latter was a former president and soldier, but this was met with strong opposition by activists and Martial Law victims.

They said that the state-sanctioned human rights violations that ocurred during Marcos’ 21-year rule make him unfit to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

But for Marcos’ supporters, it is time that the country moves on from the past.

“Paano natin mapagtatagumpayanan ang kapayapaan kung walang pag-ibig ng Diyos? Patawad, number one, kasi ‘di maka-move on. Lahat tayo nagkakasala at nagkakamali. Wala sa ating perfect kung hindi ang Diyos,” said Apo Group member Marissa de Epeso.

(How are we going to achieve peace if there is no love of God? We should forgive, that’s number one, because some people can’t move on. We all make mistakes. No one is perfect except God.)

At least 8 votes are needed to overturn Duterte’s order to bury Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Some petitioners and SC sources told Rappler that only 5 justices were certain to stop the burial.

The SC will release its decision on the case on Tuesday, November 8, when its status quo ante order – which was extended twice – expires.

“Sa totoo lang, dine-delay lang po nila eh! Dapat hindi na ‘to dine-delay kasi simula’t simula pa lang, alam naman ito eh. Kung sana dapat ang gagawin ng justices, ipantay nila, sukatin nila kung ano ang nararamdaman ng sambayanan,” said Abner Boloto of the Muslim Christian Juan Luna Vendor Divisoria Association.

(They’re just delaying it! They shouldn’t delay releasing the decision because we already know what it will be from the start. The justice should decide based on what the nation is feeling.)

According to Imee Marcos, her family will respect the decision of the High Court.

“Wala kaming masyadong spekulasyon sa pamilya. Ang amin lang, maghintay dahil kung anuman ang hatol, talagang sasang-ayon ang pamilya. Tulad ng sinabi ni Apo Presidente Duterte, eh dapat sumunod tayo sa Supreme Court,” she said.

(The family is not really speculating. For us, let’s wait for the ruling. Like what President Duterte said, let’s follow what the Supreme Court says.) – Rappler.com