Malacañang on Thursday assured that former dictator Ferdinand Marcos would be accorded ceremonies fit for a President during his hero’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
“It’s the fact that FM (Ferdinand Marcos) was a past President and that is what was being given consideration for,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a news briefing.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said Marcos deserved to be buried at the hero’s cemetery as a former soldier and Chief Executive.
The Libingan ng Mga Bayani is a national cemetery designed as resting place for former Philippine Presidents, soldiers, war veterans, and citizens considered heroes.
Amid criticisms, Abella said the hero’s burial for Marcos did not violate or dilute any existing law.
“He (Duterte) is not making any reference to [or] in dilution of any law,” he said.
“First and foremost, these are two different levels. We’re talking about historical perspective, we’re talking about something that’s being done, based on presidential decision, based on law. So they’re not necessarily contradictory as far as PRRD (Duterte) is concerned,” he added.
The Palace official said the date of Marcos’ burial has not yet been formally discussed.
Reports earlier said the burial had been scheduled for Sept. 18.
“About the FM (Marcos’s) burial, there is no definite date as of now. The only ceremonies that are certain is that he will be accorded ceremonies fitting the President,” he said.
“First and foremost, these are two different levels. We’re talking about historical perspective, we’re talking about something that’s being done, based on presidential decision, based on law. So they’re not necessarily contradictory as far as PRRD (Duterte) is concerned,” he added.
The burial of Marcos at the hero’s cemetery was a campaign promise of Duterte, saying this move would heal and unite the nation./rga
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