Signed as of Tuesday by 1,181 individuals at www.change.org, a petition addressed to President Rodrigo Duterte initiated by Ilocanos asked to bury the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in his hometown, Batac in Ilocos Norte province and to reconsider the decision allowing his burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
The petition stated, “Resting in Ilocos was also the late President’s wish –and it is a wise thing, to be buried close to the people that mattered most to him. If he is to be given a state funeral on the account that he was a former President, let it be here in Batac… that would be fair.”
Started by Ilocanos Worldwide, the petition identifies its members to the President as “your Ilocano partners for true change and progress [from Region 1]… where many voted for you.”
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The petition also expressed, “We know you promised then Senator Bongbong Marcos that in exchange for his support for you, you will allow him to bury former President Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani, against even the former president’s own wishes: which was to be buried beside his mother, Doña Josefa, in their hometown in Ilocos.”
On November 8, the Supreme Court declared: “Our nation’s history will not be instantly revised by a single resolve of President Duterte… to bury Marcos at [Libingan ng mga Bayani.]. Whether petitioners admit it or not, the lessons of martial law are already engraved, albeit in varying degrees, in the hearts and minds of the present generation of Filipinos.”
The court’s decision to allow Marcos’ burial at the LNMB has caused a great controversy and debate amongst Filipinos, causing distress to both protesters and supporters. This petition by the Ilocanos may now be a chance to resolve this ongoing conflict in our beloved country.
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In the latest developments regarding Marcos’ burial, the Marcoses showed GMA News a copy of what they said was the former president’s last will and testament, which included details about how he wished to be buried – “according to the rites established by law and with dignity suitable to my position and other personal circumstances.” The Marcoses interpret it as their patriarch’s desire to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Sources: (newsinfo.inquirer.net, gmanetwork.com)
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