Former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos allowed to be buried in Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery of Heroes) as Supreme Court decided in a controversial ruling where critics said would clear his crimes and divide the nation.
Court spokesman Theodore Te said, “There is no law that prohibits the burial,” as he read a summary of the judgement.
He said the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the petitions are based on five main reasons.
First, there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of President Rodrigo Duterte in ordering the burial of Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani because it was done in the exercise of his mandate. Second, President Duterte has the power to reserve for public use and for specific public purposes, any lands under public domain. Third, Marcos’ remains can be placed at Libingan ng mga Bayani because he was a former president, commander-in-chief, soldier, medal of valor awardee and legislator that was under the regulations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Fourth, the Supreme Court disagreed Marcos was “dishonorably discharged,” saying that disqualification only related to military. Fifth, Marcos’ was not convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude so, he cannot be disqualified from burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that their family is grateful of the Supreme Court’s decision to allow his father’s hero’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He also thanked President Duterte’s acton of unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
“It is our sincerest hope that this will lead the nation towards healing,” he said, reports CNN Philippines.
He added that his father’s burial is a family decision saying his mother Imelda Marcos ultimately decided on it although it was a national concern.
Marcos said they will start discussing together with his family regarding the interment the next day.
Voting 9-5, the justices who dismissed the petitions to block the burial of Marcos in Libingan ng mga Bayani are Associate Justices Arturo Brion, Presbitero Velasco Jr, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, Jose Perez, Teresita de Castro, Jose Mendoza, and Estela Perlas-Bernabe.
Those justices who agreed with the petitions preventing the burial of Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani are Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Marvic Mario Victor Leonen, Francis Jardeleza, and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.
The one who inhibited himself from the case is Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes.
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