Vice President Sara Duterte during her press conference at the Office of the Vice President, Robinsons Cybergate Plaza, Mandaluyong City, October 17, 2024. – The Solid North Party-list condemned Vice President Sara Duterte for threatening to exhume the remains of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. and dump them in the West Philippine Sea. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines — The Solid North Party-list condemned Vice President Sara Duterte for threatening to exhume the remains of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. and dump them in the West Philippine Sea.
The party viewed this remark of Duterte as as an attempt to divert attention from allegations surrounding Duterte’s use of confidential funds and Department of Education (DepEd) budget. It likewise claimed that Duterte’s pronouncement sparked outrage in the Ilocos region, where Marcos is revered as a folk hero and a symbol of unity.
“President Marcos, Sr. is remembered not only as a bemedaled soldier but also as the originator of the ‘Solid North’ concept, which refers to the cohesive alliance of Northern Luzon provinces bound by shared language, culture, and history,” the Solid North Party-list said in a statement Saturday.
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According to the group, which is known for its unwavering support for candidates favored by the Marcos family, the legacy of the Marcos patriarch is a source of regional pride, especially in Ilocos, where his contributions to nation-building and local development are well-acknowledged.
Therefore, the Solid North Party-list stressed, Vice President Sara Duterte’s comments against Marcos Sr. were not just a political attack but an affront to Filipino cultural values that demand respect for the dead.
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“In any culture, desecrating a grave is considered highly disrespectful. In Philippine society, where we hold our ancestors in the highest regard, such a threat is nothing short of sacrilege,” it pointed out. “It’s unthinkable to insult any deceased person, whether a former president or an ordinary Filipino.”
The group then urged residents of north provinces to rally against Duterte, withdraw political support, and reject her candidacy in future elections. It also called on Ilocanos to defend the legacy of Marcos Sr. and uphold cultural traditions that honor the dead.
“Desecrating the grave of a beloved son of the North is unacceptable and should be condemned by all,” the group said. ASU