No word yet on Binay ‘survey’

MANILA, Philippines—Barely two weeks before he submits his recommendations to President Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay has yet to get the opinion of lawmakers and the country’s 130 political parties on whether the ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos should be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The Office of the Vice President on Tuesday said “senators and lawmakers have not sent their official responses to the survey (conducted by the OVP) although some have already expressed their opinion through the media.”

It also said “none of the 130 parties accredited by the Commission on Elections has so far replied to the OVP’s letter seeking their official stand on the issue.”

Binay’s office said it would “still wait for the official stand of the political parties until this week.”

So far, the OVP has obtained “replies from three civic groups, as well as 2,155 text messages and 1,070 e-mails from Filipinos around the globe.” It did not name the civic organizations.

Binay, also housing czar and Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns, had said he would submit his recommendations to the President on the “first week of June.”

Last month, the OVP sent out dozens of letters seeking the opinion of various groups and decision-makers on the Marcos burial issue. It also launched a text and e-mail survey to encourage public participation on the matter.

It said Binay wanted to consult “as many people as possible” before he gave Mr. Aquino his recommendations on the best course of action.

Being the son of the late President Corazon Aquino and martyred Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., who were two of Marcos’s greatest political foes, the President inhibited himself from making a public stand, citing personal bias, and asked Binay to help him decide.

The burial of Marcos, whose body is said to be preserved in a refrigerated crypt in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, is a divisive issue in the country, where memories of the oppressive martial law years remain fresh.