SC verdict on Marcos burial: ‘Not a surprise’

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court on Tuesday, November 8, voted 9-5 to allow the burial of ex-president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. 

The SC ruled, among others, that the late dictator can be buried at the Heroes’ Cemetery due to his status as a former president and commander-in-chief, ex-soldier, and Medal of Valor awardee.

The High Court also said that President Rodrigo Duterte did not commit grave abuse of discretion in ordering Marcos’ burial at the Libingan, and that there is no law prohibiting his interment there. (TIMELINE: The Marcos burial controversy)

Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug said the SC decision is “not a surprise, because there have been 3 other cases wherein the Supreme Court decided in favor of restoring old political figures.”

She cited the cases of the Supreme Court granting bail to former senator Juan Ponce Enrile in connection with the pork barrel scam in 2015, acquitting ex-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of plunder in July 2016, and allowing former president Joseph Estrada in January 2015 to run in the mayoral race in Manila.

She observed that 3 of the 5 justices who voted against the Marcos burial – Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen – had also consistently dissented in the 3 cases.

Vitug added that this is “the first victory of the Duterte administration in the Supreme Court.”

Vitug and reporter Patty Pasion discuss the highlights of the SC vote in the video above. – Rappler.com