Former Senator Ferdinand “Bong bong” Marcos entertains questions from the media during a news forum. INQUIRER.net photo / Gabriel Pabico Lalu
Former Senator Bongbong Marcos has urged critics of their family to instead focus their energies on nation-building, as closure of the issues has been long overdue.
“I understand my sister [Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos] because ang pinag-uusapan [what we are talking about] is something that happened 32 years ago,” Marcos told reporters in a forum on Friday.
“‘86 was decided, the government fell, kinasuhan kami. It’s done. Ano pa ang gusto niyong gawin [What else do you want to do]?” he asked.
Marcos’ comments were in response to questions about the statements of her sister on Tuesday.
As some Filipinos were commemorating the death anniversary of former Senator Ninoy Aquino, who was slain during the rule of their father former President Ferdinand Marcos, Imee urged the people not to dig issues of the past again.
She also claimed that “millennials” and people of her age have “moved on” from it.
READ: Imee Marcos asks Filipinos criticizing her family: Why don’t you move on?
Lawmakers and several youth groups have denounced the statements, saying that they can only move on when the Marcoses are held accountable.
According to Marcos, there are several other problems of the country that needs more attention.
“There are so many problems na hinaharap ng taumbayan, na hinaharap ng Pilipinas. Bakit natin pinag-aksayahan ng [oras ito]? Tapos na ito eh,” he noted.
Understanding Imee
Marcos expounded on the reasons why he understands the reaction of his sister, as he himself is frustrated with being asked the same question for decades.
“This is a question that I have been answering for over 30 years. I have answered the question a thousand times, my answer does not change,” he explained.
He has asked people to discuss aspects about the betterment of the nation, and not political issues.
“Papaano mo aayusin ‘yong agrikultura, manufacturing sa atin, ang Mindanao, paano mo lalabanan ang ISIS, how do you make your peace treaty with the NPA? What do we do with China? […] Ang daming napaka-laki, napaka-importanteng issue, bakit natin gustong pag-usapan ‘yong tapos na?” he said in jest.
‘Yan ang frustration ng aking ate, hindi naman siguro siya masisisi kung sinasabi niya na pag-usapan natin ‘yong pangangailangan ng taumbayan, hindi ‘yong pampulitika,” he added. /jpv
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