Not another Marcos in Malacañang, says former human rights chair

Thirty years after dictator Ferdinand Marcos was toppled by the Edsa people power revolt, his son and namesake is a strong contender to the vice presidency, making him one step away from Malacañang if he wins.

Former Commission on Human Rights Chair Loretta Ann Rosales, a martial law victim, on Thursday said the Marcoses should not be allowed to return to Malacañang.

“Huwag na huwag nating ibalik ang Marcos. Huwag na huwag sanang magkaroon ng Marcos ulit sa Malacañang,” she told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo after a tour of the Edsa People Power Experiential Museum.

Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is running for vice president with Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago. In the most recent preelection survey, he is tied with Sen. Francis Escudero on the top spot.

“Ang isang napakalaking kasalanan ni Marcos sa taumbayan yung tinatawag na plunder na kung saan ninakaw niya ang kaban ng bayan. Kung kaya’t nagutom at naging malubha ang ekonomiya ng bayan,” Rosales said.

Rosales said she had been tortured and sexually molested during martial law.

“Yung torture na ginawa sa akin sexual molestation, hinubaran ka. Tapos hindi ako sinunog ng sigarilyo. Hindi ako ginawang ash tray, pero binuhos nila yung kandilang mainit, so syempre masakit din yun,” she narrated.

President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday also toured the museum that relived the horrors of martial law after the event commemorating the historic revolt at the People Power Monument. RC

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