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[av_heading heading=’Guv: Call it Libingan ng mga Bayani at Iba pa ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. tried to make light of the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery).
Defensor stressed that he never favored affording Marcos a hero’s burial but he will respect the ruling of the high court.
“Supreme Court has the last word on this. And the last word of the Supreme Court is the final word,” he said. “Whether we like the decision or not, since we are in a democracy, we should respect the high court’s decision.”
Opponents of the ruling and President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to allow the hero’s burial stressed that Marcos was never a hero and does not deserve a slot at the Libingan.
The governor said it would be better to change the cemetery’s name.
“My suggestion, kon indi pag-islan, himuon na lang, ‘Libingan ng mga Bayani at Iba pa,’” Defensor quipped.
Defensor asserted that he was against the Supreme Court’s decision.
The governor served as commissioner for the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which was tasked to recover the Marcoses’ ill-gotten wealth.
A few months before he resigned as PCGG commissioner in 1992, Defensor brought from Switzerland documents proving the Marcoses’ hidden wealth — worth US$500 million at the time — in that country.
From what he understands, the Libingan is for heroes, Defensor said. “Is Marcos a hero?” he asked rhetorically.
The Marcoses’ ill-gotten wealth was just one of the reasons that the former dictator should not be afforded a hero’s burial, he stressed.
“Kwarta ina sang gobyerno, kag kwarta ina sang pumuluyo. That is why it is very difficult for me to accept the decision of the Supreme Court,” said Defensor. “But I will respect the decision.”
He added: “Let us put this issue to rest. Let us not divide our country insofar as this issue is concerned. We ask them (those who oppose the burial) to respect the decision so we can move forward.”/PN
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