Marcoses: ‘We prayed, dreamed for 3 decades to see this day’

MANILA, Philippines – The family of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos on Friday, November 18, thanked supporters led by President Rodrigo Duterte for “standing by” the former president’s right to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, speaking for the family, delivered a short statement in Filipino at a news conference over an hour after the funeral rites, which were kept secret from the public until late Friday morning, when media learned of the ongoing ceremony. (WATCH: Marcos burial captured in ‘same-day edit’ video)

“Sa wakas, napatupad sa araw na ito ang huling habilin ng aking minamahal na ama, ang ating Pangulong Ferdinand Edralin Marcos: na maihimlay kasama ng kanyang mga kapwa sundalo. Ang aking pamilya ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat na nagpatotoo sa karapatan niyang mahimlay sa  Libingan ng mga Bayani,” she said.

(Finally, the final wish of my father, our president Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, was realized on this day: that he be buried along with his fellow soldiers. My family whole-heartedly thanks all of you who stood by his right to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.)

“Una sa lahat, kay Pangulong Duterte na nagmungkahi nito sa Korte Suprema na kinatigan naman ang pasyang ito, at sa libo-libong nagmamahal at nagmamalasakit sa aming pamilya. Kasama namin kayong nangarap at nanalangin sa halos 3 dekada na makita ang araw na ito,” the eldest Marcos child added.

(First of all, to President Duterte who raised this to the Supreme Court that sided with this decision, and the thousands who love and care for our family. With you, we dreamed and prayed for almost 3 decades to see this day.)

Duterte allowed a hero’s burial for Marcos – a campaign promise to the family who supported his presidential bid – which was questioned before the Supreme Court. The High Court ruled in favor of the burial on November 8.

Apology to supporters

The governor apologized and asked for understanding from their supporters who wanted to attend the ceremony, which the family decided to keep “simple, private, and solemn” in deference to groups opposed to the move. (READ: Marcos family arranged for a private burial)

“Kaya naman ako humihingi ng dispensa at pag-unawa na lang ninyo sa naging pasya ng aking pamilya na gawing payak, pribado, at taimtim ang paglibing sa aking ama para hindi na masaling ang mga nagdaramdam. Dama namin ang inyong matinding hangarin na maihatid ang aking ama sa kanyang huling hantungan.”

(I seek your indulgence and understanding for the decision of our family to make our father’s burial simple, private, and solemn to spare those who are still hurting. We feel your deep desire to send our father to his final resting place.)

She said the Marcoses will be forever grateful to their supporters for seeing through the “historic” event. (LIVE: Burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani)

The governor did not take questions after she delivered the statement.

Groups and personalities opposed to a hero’s burial for Marcos had slammed the “deceitful” burial, which was reportedly finalized only on Thursday night. Marcos supporters celebrated the event while anti-Marcos groups mobilized protests across the country.

Read the Marcoses’ full statement here:

Sa wakas, napatupad sa araw na ito ang huling habilin ng aking minmahal na ama, ang ating Pangulong Ferdinand Edralin Marcos: na maihimlay kasama ng kanyang mga kapwa sundalo.

Ang aking pamilya ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat na nagpatotoo sa karapatan niyang mahimlay sa  Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Una sa lahat, kay Pangulong Duterte na nagmungkahi nito sa Korte Suprema na kinatigan naman ang pasyang ito, at sa libo-libong nagmamahal at nagmamalasakit sa aming pamilya. Kasama namin kayong nangarap at nanalangin sa halos 3 dekada na makita ang araw na ito.

Kaya naman ako humihingi ng dispensa at pag-unawa na lang ninyo sa naging pasya ng aking pamilya payak, pribado at taimtim ang paglibing sa aking ama pang hindi na masaling ang mga nagdaramdam. Dama namin ang inyong matinding hangarin na maihatid ang aking ama sa kanyang huling hantungan.

Hindi man namin kayo kasama ngayon, hinding-hindi namin malilimutan ang inyong pagmamalasakit, matinding sakripisyo upang matupad ang makasaysayang pagtitipon na ito. Walang hanggang pasasalamat at mabuhay ang Pilipinas.

– Rappler.com