Proposed Marcos Day in Ilocos Norte an ‘injustice’ to martial law victims

Late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The approval of a bill seeking to declare September 11 a special non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte to commemorate the birth of former dictator President Ferdinand Marcos is a “grave injustice” to victims of the martial law regime.

Such was the sentiment of Makabayan lawmakers of the House of Representatives on Monday, a day after the chamber approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 7137 declaring September 11 as “President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Day” in Ilocos Norte.

“Isang malaking injustice ito sa mga pinaslang, ikinulong, mga human rights victims noong panahon ng diktadurya na ngayon ay parang nakalimutan na sa kasaysayan,” Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite said in an online media forum.

(This is a big injustice to those who were killed, detained, and those who became human-rights victims during the time of the dictatorship that we are now seemingly forgetting.)

For Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, there is nothing to celebrate about the “3,257 extrajudicial killings, 35,000 documented tortures, 77 forced disappearances, and 70,000 incarcerations” during the Marcos regime.

The public should oppose the historical revisionism being pushed in the country following the approval of the controversial bill, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said.

“Huwag nating hayaan itong itinutulak na rebisyonismo na gustong pabanguhin ang pangalan ng mga Marcos,” he said.

(Let us not allow this revision they are pushing just to change the image of the Marcoses.)

“Naitala na sa kasaysayan na si Marcos ay hindi bayani, siya ay diktador, siya ay mandarambong, siya ay mamamatay-tao at hindi ito mabubura lamang sa pamamagitan ng ganitong paglalabas ng isang batas na i-celebrate ang kanyang birthday as Marcos Day kahit sabihin natin na sa isang probinsya lang yan,” Zarate added.

(It was written in history that Marcos is no hero, he’s a dictator, he’s a plunderer, he’s a murderer and this can’t be easily erased merely by issuing a law that will celebrate his birthday as Marcos Day, even if we say it is just in the province.)

For her part, ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro hopes the measure will not pass in the Senate.

JPV