Cebu City dads oppose hero’s burial for Marcos

THE Cebu City Council and Mayor Michael Rama have different views over whether the late Ferdinand Marcos should be given a hero’s burial.

The Council yesterday passed a strongly worded resolution opposing any burial for Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani or Cemetery of the Heroes.

The mayor avoided taking a stand, saying the debate was counterproductive and could only be settled by people voting in a referendum.

“Let it not be forgotten that the former dictator was convicted by a US Court of gross violation human rights, prompting the Swiss Court to freeze his Swiss bank accounts to pay the thousands of human rights victims during those dark years of his dictatorship,” said the resolution sponsored by Councilor Alvin Dizon.

It said a hero’s burial for Marcos “would be an insult to Cebuanos who fought hard to end his dictatorship and to be able to restore democracy.”

President Benigno Aquino last month ruled out a hero’s burial in Manila saying, “Not during my watch.”

Mayor Rama said he wanted people to decide the issues in a referendum, saying debates on the matter were divisive and counterproductive.

“What we need in this country now is not looking back but going forward,” he said.
“I don’t want to enter into the discussion. Makatabang ba ko ana? The issue will never be resolved until you bring it to a referendum.”/Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac and Correspondent Edison A. delos Angeles