The Supreme Court has already proven them right, so here’s an interesting proposal to the Marcoses, according to a lawmaker: Take the moral high ground and do not bury the late dictator in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Build instead a heroes’ cemetery in Laoag City, where all the Ilocano heroes will be buried.

Otherwise, says AKO Bicol Representative Rodel Batocabe, the nation won’t be at peace.

“Itong Marcos issue again, this is a very contentious issue. Anong dapat gawin? I therefore urge the Marcoses to consider not burying Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani. Why? They have proven their point. Sinabi na ni Presidente [Rodrigo] Duterte na gusto niyang ilibing si Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani because sa batas puwede. At hindi lang po Pangulo ang nagsabi niyan. Pati ang Korte Suprema nagsabi, at sila na po mismo ang nagsabi na puwedeng ilibing si Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Batocabe said in a press conference on Monday, November 14. 

(This Marcos issue is very contentious. What should be done? I therefore urge the Marcoses to consider not burying Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Why? They have proven their point. President Rodrigo Duterte already said Marcos can be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani because the law allows it. And he is not the only person who said that. Even the Supreme Court agreed.)

Batocabe’s reaction comes a week after the SC, voting 9-5, thumbed down the petitions seeking to bar Marcos’ interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. (READ: Supreme Court: Marcos was not pure evil)

Marcos’ son and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr is hoping the High Court’s decision would finally lead to “national healing,” while his sister and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos urged her father’s critics to “let go” of the past.

Duterte, who had promised Marcos’ burial during the campaign season, already gave his go signal for the interment following the SC decision.

“Pero ‘pag nilibing ba natin si Presidente Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani, matatahimik ang bayan? Hindi. ‘Pag nilibing ba natin si Presidente Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani, masisigurado natin ang seguridad ng ating dating pangulo? Hindi,” argued Batocabe. 

(But if we bury President Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, will the nation be at peace? No. If we bury President Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, can we ensure his security there? No.)

While the SC ruling was widely celebrated by Marcos loyalists, activists and Martial Law victims maintained that the state-sanctioned human rights violations during the Marcos regime make him undeserving of a spot at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. (READ: Only civil disobedience can block Marcos’ burial)

“Kaya ito ang appeal ko sa mga Marcos (So this is my appeal to the Marcoses): Take the high moral ground. ‘Wag niyo na ilibing (Don’t bury him there anymore). Anyway, heroes are not determined where they are buried or by legislation or by decision of Supreme Court. Heroes are determined by the collective will of the people,” said Batocabe. 

Imee Marcos said that her father only wants a “simple soldier’s burial,” though a final date for the interment is yet to be announced. 

The petitioners are also drafting their motion for reconsideration to be filed before the SC. 

Should the Marcoses follow Batocabe’s suggestion, the lawmaker said they may instead build a cemetery for heroes in Ilocos Norte, the stronghold of the Marcos family where the former president was born. 

“Kung ilagay mo let’s say for example sa Laoag, Ilocos Norte, ilagay mo, gawa tayo ng Libingan ng mga Bayani dun. Lahat ng mga bayani na Ilocano, ilagay mo doon, ‘di ba?” said Batocabe.

(For example, you can make a Heroes’ Cemetery in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Bury all the Ilocano  heroes there, right?)

What do you think, dear readers? – Rappler.com