Outrage, cheers online as SC allows Marcos burial

MANILA, Philippines – A hero’s burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos is an issue that has divided the country, and it came as no surprise that the Supreme Court (SC) decision allowing it was met with both outrage and cheers on Tuesday, November 8.

On one end, activists and human rights victims during the Martial Law era have said Marcos does not deserve to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, given the atrocities committed during his dictatorship. (READ: Supreme Court: Marcos was not pure evil)

It’s a sentiment shared by many social media users, who have expressed disbelief and frustration over the SC ruling. Is Marcos now considered a Philippine hero?

Marcos now a hero. A WTF moment in Phil history. #MarcosBurial

— Alex (@alexsal2013) November 8, 2016

: Jusko, kung bayani si Marcos, ano na lang sina Rizal at Bonifacio? Sexbomb Dancers?

— NIETZSCHE FLAN (@Watdahel_Marcel) November 8, 2016

A hero sacrifices himself to save the country. A dictator sacrifices the people to save his position.#MarcosNOTaHero #MarcosBurial

— Angelo Gabriel (@gelotissimooo) November 8, 2016

Sad day for democracy. #MarcosBurial #Hopeless

— Emmanuela ® (@WORLDLESSELLA) November 8, 2016

When the justice system itself doesn’t do justice. #MarcosBurial

— iamsuperathan (@itsdotJ) November 8, 2016

Hi, Supreme Court. #MarcosBurial #MarcosNOTaHero pic.twitter.com/jJcXfgQbXW

— Clyden Kho (@ClydeJayvy) November 8, 2016

Nakadidismaya. Nakalulungkot. Nakagagalit. #MarcosNOTaHero #MarcosBurial https://t.co/cuzKuTVdmG

— Gian (@giiianhernandez) November 8, 2016

 

#MarcosBurial pic.twitter.com/QxR4QtmzwL

— Tam Prieto (@tamprieto) November 8, 2016

Manny Pacquiao’s a senator, Mocha Uson’s a journalist, and Ferdinand Marcos is a hero. Welcome to 2016.

— Regis Andanar (@RegisAndanar) November 8, 2016

 

Some took the SC decision as an insult to the victims of Martial Law.

According to Amnesty International, about 70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed during Martial Law from 1972 to 1981.

The 1987 Constitution and the plight of those martyred during Martial Law are now worthless. Disgusting. #MarcosBurial https://t.co/nVFeQiWcLE

— Michael Zaldua (@_jmz) November 8, 2016

@momblogger The Filipinos were not worth dying for. All those who did must be turning on their graves today. #MarcosBurial #MarcosNOTaHero

— Tricia Villegas (@tcvillegas) November 8, 2016

THIS JUST IN AT LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI: pic.twitter.com/LHFWBTNrcl

— NIETZSCHE FLAN (@Watdahel_Marcel) November 8, 2016

YOU JUST KILLED THE VICTIMS AGAIN. #MarcosBurial

— Caloy (@carlosiquian_04) November 8, 2016

Buti pa nga mga Marcos, may bangkay na ibuburol. Yung ibang pamilyang biktima ng Martial Law hanggang ngayon, walang bangkay na mahanap.

— sushi kid  (@foreverjomarch) November 8, 2016

 

Some, meanwhile, noted the significance of the date – November 8 – the same day 3 years ago that Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck the Philippines, leaving 6,300 people dead.

Marcos is allowed a hero’s burial on the anniversary of Yolanda. The storm, the storm, the storm. The horror, the horror.

— Miguel Lizada (@mlizada) November 8, 2016

November 8, 2013 – Super Typhoon #yolandaph
November 8, 2016 – SC allows #marcosburial

— zenszeiwa (@zenszei) November 8, 2016

November 8 is a disaster in the Philippines. Moving forward #YolandaPH and #MarcosBurial will be commemorated on the same day.

— ana zarraga (@anataliaoz) November 8, 2016

 

On the other end of the spectrum was joy.

THANKYOU LORD FOR HEARING OUR PRAYERS  #MarcosBurial

— precious (@PreiiOfficial) November 8, 2016

Sa huli’y nanaig ang katarungan. Marcos parin!! #MarcosBurial

— annie lee (@annie_lee102) November 8, 2016

Happy for the Supreme Court Decision for the #MarcosBurial Pinas move on na..para naman umesenso ang bansang pinas

— smile • geniblazo (@iamjeanpaulette) November 8, 2016

Sa wakas! Long wait is over! Makakahinga na ng maluwag ang Marcos supporter! @bongbongmarcos #MarcosBurial #marcos

—  (@sammy_postor) November 8, 2016

 

Some argue that Marcos is not a hero but he should be given a hero’s burial since he was a president and a soldier.

His BURIAL to the libingan ng mga bayani—is not because he is a hero but because he was once a PRESIDENT!!! #MarcosBurial

— 축복 받은 (@HSHTG_BREAKFREE) November 8, 2016

Hindi bayani si Marcos pero naging sundalo at presidente siya. Bayani ang mga sundalo. Dapat lang na ilibing siya sa LNMB.
#MarcosBurial

— Itsme_Xane (@XaneFlorendo) November 8, 2016

 

Some agree that it’s only just.

Like the decision or not, good to know that we can rely on the Supreme Court to uphold what is right and just. #MarcosBurial

— TishaCM (@TishaCM) November 8, 2016

 

Others welcomed the fact that a decision has been reached, and urged fellow Filipinos to “move on.”

I am not a loyalist but it’s high time for us to finally put the debate about #MarcosBurial to rest. It is divisive and repititive.

— miguel (@MAIQUEZ68) November 8, 2016

i think it’s about time that we move on from this issue and just respect the decision and the law. #MarcosBurial

— Badge Santiago Majid (@glucobadge) November 8, 2016

 

What’s next for the nation?

Now, can schools and universities teach children about the atrocities commited by Marcos.? Equalize lang natin please. #MarcosBurial

— Michael Zaldua (@_jmz) November 8, 2016

Since #MarcosBurial happened, can we petition to change Libingan ng Mga Bayani to Just Another Libingan?

— Noah, the gay guy (@six_song_wonder) November 8, 2016

Palitan nalang ng pangalan yung libingan. "Libingan ng mga Bayani… and a dictator" G ba yun? #MarcosNoHero #MarcosBurial

— Josef Bautista (@josefbautista20) November 8, 2016

So hindi na holiday ang EDSA revolution, right? MUKHA TAYONG TANGA PAGHOLIDAY PA DIN YUN. Hahahaha

— Rombutan (@rombutans) November 8, 2016

The fight does not end here, now that scars are re-opened, we will not stop telling the real stories of ML and its victims. #MarcosBurial

— Angelo Gabriel (@gelotissimooo) November 8, 2016

Just anxiously waiting for Martial Law to be declared again. #MarcosNOTaHero #MarcosBurial #LNMB

— Puse (@pusepopper) November 8, 2016

 

 

We asked our followers on Twitter and Facebook if they agree with the decision or not. As of posting, the responses for the two polls are not aligned with the SC decision.

Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s decision to allow former president Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani? #MarcosBurial

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) November 8, 2016

 

 

What do you think of the controversial ruling? Share your thoughts on X. – with reports from Stacy de Jesus / Rappler.com