The
Supreme Court has spoken.
And even if there are others
who do not agree with the High Tribunal’s decision, it will remain so—unless
the SC reverses itself.
Finally, after 27 years, the
late President Ferdinand E. Marcos will be laid to rest—at the Libingan ng mga
Bayani, no less.
True enough, Martial Law
victims have not taken the decision well. And what was being touted about as
the “ultimate act of reconciliation” between the “red” and “yellow” forces—and
everything else in between—is both proving to be off the mark and thoroughly
wrong.
Judging from posts in social
media, the Marcos loyalists are not quite magnanimous with their court victory.
Something that can also be said to those on the other side of the ultimate
political divide in the country; for they have been protesting endlessly
against the burial of the late president at the heroes’ cemetery.
True enough, Mr. Marcos’
burial at a place considered as “hallowed ground” is indeed a closure for his
family and legions of loyalists. But for those on the other side, it is the
ultimate act of disrespect and betrayal.
For whatever it’s worth, only
one side in the great divide would be moving on should the late president’s
burial be realized. But to believe that this act would ultimately revise
history as we know it may be stretching it a little too much.
Mr. Marcos’ accomplishments
and failings in his presidency will remain so even if he is buried at the
Libingan ng mga Bayani. In the same manner that those who chased him out of the
country one fine day in 1986 will remain against him and everything he stood
for.
But for the country’s sake—as
well as for those who were born well after 1986—let us at least all agree to
bury the dead. And no matter where Mr. Marcos is buried, nothing much will
really change.
He would remain a hero in the
eyes of his family and loyalists; and murdering, plundering dictator for the
other side. The Filipino people and history have already judged him
thrice—twice when he was elected and reelected as president, and once when he
was ousted in 1986.
For all his successes and
frailties, the least that can be done is for his remains to be finally laid to
rest. And after such, both sides can continue debating, arguing, harassing and
haranguing each other to their hearts’ desire.
But first, let us just bury
the dead.
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