Highlights: 2nd day of SC orals on Marcos burial

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday, September 7, wrapped up the oral arguments on the cases filed against the burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

It was the government’s turn, through Solicitor General Jose Calida, to present its side. The lawyer of the Marcos heirs, Hyacinth Rafael-Antonio, also faced the justices.

Calida said that President Rodrigo Duterte did not commit grave abuse of discretion when he allowed the interment of Marcos’ remains at the Heroes’ Cemetery. (READ: Duterte’s wisdom on Marcos burial ‘beyond ambit of judicial review’)

He also argued that the 14 million votes received by Marcos’ son and namesake Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr during the 2016 vice presidential election showed that there is “no more national trauma” from Martial Law.

In the videos below, Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug and reporter Mara Cepeda summarize the last round of SC oral arguments.

The SC extended to October 18 its status quo ante order on the burial of Marcos’ remains at the Libingan. – Michael Bueza/Rappler.com