It was inevitable for Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to answer a question pertaining to the human rights abuses of his father, the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos now that he is vying for a position that is a heartbeat away from the presidency.
During Sunday’ s vice presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the namesake of the dictator said that while he acknowledges that there are human rights abuses committed in every administration—including his father’s—he can only apologize to allegations of abuses involving him.
“I certainly acknowledge every human rights abuse in every administration. I think it is necessary that we do so or else, we are to repeat the mistakes and abuses of the past…In my 27 years of public service, there has never been any suspicion, any accusation, or even any allegation made against me that there were human rights violations made or any non-recognition of people’s civil rights in my time in government,” Marcos said.
“I have said this before and I will say this again: I will apologize for any wrongdoing that I may have done, any mistake that might have caused anyone pain or hardship. But I can only apologize for myself,” he said.
The senator emphasized: “I cannot apologize for anyone else only for myself and what I have done.”
READ: Heated confrontations, heckling mark first part of VP debate
Marcos has drawn flak for his statements which seemed to have defended his father’s dictatorship, prompting some academics from various universities such as University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila and Miriam College to issue statements against his vice presidential bid.
On Sunday’s debate, Marcos was heckled by some audience members who are not in favor of a repeat of a possible martial law under Marcos’ term.
READ: Bongbong Marcos heckled at opening of VP debate
The late dictator imposed martial law for nine years from 1972 to 1981. CDG
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