In his undaunted decision in allowing the burial of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, President Duterte is not worried of the opposition, Malacanang said on Monday.
Secretary Andanar said the Presidential Legal adviser Salvador Panelo is task to find all legal remedies surrounding the issue. “it’s up to him to make recommendation to the President.” Andanar said.
As far as the regulation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is concerned, the allowing of the burial of former soldiers and Presidents at the Libingan does not distinguish if the President is good or bad and the government would block all legal remedies against the President’s decision. Panelo stated.
Furthermore, Sec. Andanar reiterated that President Duterte would have the Marcos family bury the remains of President Marcos in a special cemetery intended for war heroes and former Presidents and the President’s stance is firm and is not distracted while focusing on winning the war on drugs, criminality and corruption.
President Duterte’s admiration for President Marcos is known publicly and is also recognizing the right of those who criticize his decision stressing that he would not bar them if they want to protest. “They can go in the streets if they want to” he said.
However, former President Ramos said that the Marcos burial must have a concurrence of congress and Sec. Andanar would ask House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for his comment about this matter.
The Deal
The 1992 agreement was drafted between former President Ramos and the Marcos family that the remains of President Marcos would be allowed to be brought back in the Philippines from Hawaii to be buried, but only in Ilocos Norte Province and not in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Nevertheless, this Government is pursuing on the plan, as the President said that the Marcos’ burial will allow the country to “move on” and that the former President has the right to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani since he served this country as a soldier and was elected as President.
Source: Inquirer