DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte said he will follow whatever the Supreme Court decides on the petition to stop the burial of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
“We will follow what the Supreme Court says, for after all, it is the Supreme Court who interprets the law and decides which of the public interests is served among the contending parties,” the President said during his pre-departure press conference here on Sunday afternoon.
Duterte was leaving for state visits to Brunei and China.
The President earlier said he was allowing the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, a move opposed by many who suffered under martial law. But Duterte said he was just following a law that allows the burial of a former president at the site.
“My position is that there is that law, it must be followed,” he said, adding that questions on Marcos’ heroism and war medals would have “to be resolved, maybe, in the generations to come.”
“It could not be decided on the group now which were actively, physically and emotionally involved on the issues,” the President said.
Duterte earlier said that the issue on whether or not to bury the former dictator at the Libingan has divided the country.
READ: Duterte on Marcos’ burial at heroes’ cemetery: It will erase one hatred in PH
“We have alienated almost the entire Ilocanos,” he said.
But the President on Sunday said he will respect what the Supreme Court would decide on the issue.
READ: Palace to respect SC ruling on where Marcos should rest
“What the Supreme Court will rule must be followed,” he said. RAM/rga
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