CHR Chairman Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
A lie is still a lie even if said a million times.
This was the remark of Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Chito Gascon on Juan Ponce Enrile’s claims about former President Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law during a one-on-one interview with the late dictator’s son and namesake, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last week.
“Baka naniniwala sila na a lie said a thousand times or a million times becomes a truth, but that is not the case. A lie will remain a lie especially if the facts show otherwise,” Gascon told reporters.
Enrile, who served as defense minister chief and administrator of martial law during the Marcos regime, claimed that not one person was arrested because of his or her political beliefs or for criticizing Marcos during the dark period of martial rule.
READ: Enrile: No massacres, no arrests for criticizing Marcos during martial law
Gascon noted many martial law victims and survivors have already rejected Enrile’s statements and debunked the declaration of the 94-year-old former senator as deceptive.
READ: Martial law survivors-turned-solons to Bongbong, Enrile: Stop distorting history | Pimentel: Martial law victims best proof vs Enrile lies
Gascon said that such “attempt at historical revisionism will continue on the part of those who want to forget that sad part of our history.”
“But memorialization, knowing what happened during the dark days of martial law is not only about the past, it’s also about the future, it’s also about ensuring there will be non-repetition of these atrocities,” Gascon pointed out.
“That’s why we need to continue to press for the truth, that’s why there have been over 11,000 victims who have been paid reparations, in a law even Mr. Enrile had signed and Mr. Marcos had voted for when he was in the Senate,” he added. /kga