The widely reported September 18 burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos is not happening at all as the Supreme Court extended the status quo ante order (SQAO) until October 18.
The Supreme Court gave the order after wrapping up the oral arguments in the consolidated petitions filed by human rights victims against the government-approved internment for Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
The SQAO initially stopped any preparations for Marcos’ burial from August 23 to September 13. Preparations started as commanded by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in his August 7 memorandum.
Before the Supreme Court’s order was released, Solicitor General Jose Calida said that Marcos’ internment was eyed on September 18, a week after Marcos’s 99th birthday on September 11.
Calida defended the government’s controversial decision in the Court.
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There were two rounds of oral arguments. One on August 31 for the victims of the human rights’ violations under the Marcos regime and another one on September 7 for the government’s side in supporting its decision to give the late strongman a hero’s burial.
According to the petitioners, Marcos did not deserve to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani because he was not someone worth emulating and getting inspiration from.
Calida, defending the government’s position, insisted that Marcos would not be given state honors, but a simple military ceremony.
Calida added that Marcos’ burial will not have an impact on the victims’ claims and will not mean that Duterte has pardoned the dictator of his supposed crimes.
Duterte has remained firm in allowing Marcos to be buried at the Libingan, insisting that he was only following the law.
The Supreme Court gave the petitioners, the Office of the Solicitor General, and Marcos’ heirs 20 days to submit their memoranda.
Sources: (gmanetwork.com, newsinfo.inquirer.net)
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