Lagman to file motion Monday to exhume Marcos ‘body’
Marcos casket being carried by soldiers at Libingan ng mga Bayani. Photos from OACPA HPA
Opposition lawmaker Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman is set to file on Monday with the Supreme Court a motion to exhume “whatever it was that was buried” at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) on Friday.
In a radio interview on Sunday, Lagman gave four grounds for his motion to exhume: the burial was premature, precipitate and irregular; because it is a premature burial and the execution of the SC decision is void, therefore the body has to be exhumed; the remains have to be exhumed so as not to render the motion for reconsideration filed moot and academic; and the exhumation is necessary to rectify the patent disrespect of the Marcoses against the high court and its processes.
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“The burial showed that the true colors and attitude of the Marcoses have not changed. They are so used to deceiving, lying to, and abusing our country,” Lagman said.
Protesters at the Edsa People Power Monument last Friday repeatedly chanted, “Hukayin (Dig him up)!” as they expressed their disgust over the sudden hero’s burial given to the dictator.
Lagman said should the Supreme Court decide in favor of the exhumation, the Marcoses could put the remains “wherever they want.”
The family of the late strongman buried Marcos on the sly at the heroes’ cemetery, catching the whole nation by surprise.
The Supreme Court petitioners, like Lagman who had asked but failed to block the plan of President Duterte to have Marcos interred at LNMB, were incredulous as they were still putting together their motion for reconsideration of the high tribunal’s decision.
Lagman’s younger brother, Hermon, was a young labor lawyer when he was arrested by the military shortly after the declaration of martial law, never to be seen again.
Lagman emphasized that the Supreme Court decision that allowed Mr. Duterte to order the burial of Marcos at the LNMB was not yet final and executory because the petitioners were still allowed a period to file their motion for reconsideration.
He acknowledged that it was rare for the magistrates to reverse their initial votes, but cited cases like that of the League of Cities of the Philippines where the high tribunal reversed itself multiple times.
“In other words, it is still possible. It would be difficult but possible. Sabi nga nila. Mahirap abutin ang buwan, pero paminsan-minsan, inaabot (As they say, it may be hard to reach the moon but sometimes, you can reach it),” Lagman said.
Lagman will also file a motion for the SC to hold in contempt the “conspirators in the sudden and surreptitious burial of the late dictator.”
Aside from the Marcoses, those named as public respondents in the motion for contempt were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya, AFP vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, and those who manage the LNMB.
Lagman said President Duterte was not named in the motion owing to his presidential immunity from suit.
Lagman also appeared to echo the pervading doubt that it was the remains of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos that was in the small wooden coffin laid to rest last Friday, punctuated by tears from his widow, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos.
“With their rushed move, we can no longer validate whatever was buried there,” Lagman said.
Asked what could happen if it would be proven that it was not Marcos’ mortal remains buried at the LNMB, Lagman replied that would be another contempt of court by the Marcoses.
“This is because the Supreme Court said what should be buried are the mortal remains of the former President. If what was buried there were not his mortal remains, that is another contempt of the Supreme Court,” Lagman said./rga
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