Justice secretary opposes Marcos burial at Libingan

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Thursday she opposes the burial of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani or extending him military honors if he is buried in his hometown in Ilocos Norte.

De Lima said that “closure” from the oppressive Marcos regime has not yet been achieved.

“What is important is truth and justice. Did we ever achieve that already?” De Lima said at a press briefing.

Her comment was sought following a meeting with the group Pagbabago! People’s Movement for Change earlier Thursday.

Pagbabago, a network of individuals and groups pushing for “substantial change,”  is urging Cabinet members to make a stand on the proposed burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

De Lima said the group was also opposed to the proposal of Vice President Jejomar Binay to bury Marcos in Ilocos Norte with full military honors.

De Lima said she could ask the other Cabinet members, through the executive secretary, if they want to make a collective statement on the matter.