Hontiveros wants Marcos declared ‘unfit’ for hero’s burial

MANILA, Philippines — For his martial law crimes, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos “is unfit” to be buried in a resting place of heroes.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said this in a resolution she filed Monday, which sought to bring the Senate together under a single stand on President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to allow Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Hontiveros, whose activism began during martial law, pointed out that while former Presidents and soldiers may be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, there is an exception that applies to Marcos: it disallows the interment of “those who were convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude.”

READ: Duterte allies oppose Marcos burial at Libingan

She said Marcos had a proven record of human rights abuses during  martial rule, including various methods of torture of those perceived to be against the state.

“This conviction should suffice to disqualify former President Marcos from being remembered in history as a hero, and from lying beside those who have demonstrated extraordinary heroism and valor in the service of the country,” read her resolution released Tuesday.

She said Marcos’ burial “will only cause further divisiveness, and will reopen old wounds, especially as the country is also in the process of providing reparations to martial law victims.”

Hontiveros noted the contradiction of  Duterte’s stance against oligarchs and his accommodation for “the very man who created a crony oligarchy during martial law.”

The resolution was referred to the Senate committee on rules on Monday. CDG/rga

READ: House leaders: Marcos deserves hero’s burial as former President