Nothing illegal in Marcos burial, House leaders say
Amid protests, former President Ferdinand Marcos is finally laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani as family members gather during the private burial rites on Friday. —PHOTO FROM FERDINAND E. MARCOS PRESIDENTIAL CENTER
Leaders at the House of Representatives on Monday found nothing illegal in the move of the Marcos family to bury the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani even though the Supreme Court decision allowing it was not yet final and executory.
At a press briefing, Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson said there was nothing illegal in the burial because the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and did not extend the status quo ante order.
READ: Marcos laid to rest in ‘sneaky’ rites at Libingan ng mga Bayani
“Yung paglibing pagkatapos nagkaroon ng decision ang Supreme Court, sa tingin namin yun naman ay walang illegal na nagawa,” Singson said.
Singson said it was well within the Marcos family’s rights to decide when to bury the remains of the dictator.
“Ang narinig natin na sinabi nga ng Marcos family na they want a simple funeral for the late president. Yun naman ay karapatan nila… The Supreme Court decision lifting the TRO is a decision that made them decide dun sa panahon na gusto nilang dalhin (si Marcos) sa Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Singson said.
READ: House leaders say motion to exhume Marcos’ body won’t fly
For his part, Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, a deputy speaker, refuted allegations the Duterte administration deceived the public when the military and police assisted the Marcos family in flying in the dictator’s remains at the hero’s cemetery amid mounting protests.
“Palagay ko naman di panloloko ito. Paglabas ng decision ng Supreme Court, nalalaman na ng lahat na anytime, unless baguhin ng SC ang decision, maililibing na ang dating pangulong Marcos,” Castro said.
Asked if the Marcoses committed contempt when they buried Marcos before the decision was deemed final and executory, Castro said the high court had lifted the status quo ante order and therefore there is no TRO that would prevent the burial of the dictator at the hero’s cemetery.
READ: Marcos family, AFP must be cited in contempt—lawyer
“Nilift na ng Korte Supreme ang status quo ante order, kaya paglift ng restraining order, there is nothing more that would prevent the burial of the former president at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Castro said.
“Walang nilabag ang pamilyang Marcos even before the expiration of the 15-day period. Dahil unang una, wala na nga ang TRO, kaya ang ibig sabihin nung nilift ng Supreme Court ang restraining order, pwede nang ituloy ang paglibing kay dating presidente Marcos,” Castro added.
Diwa Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, wife of Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, said the burial of Marcos could proceed after the Supreme Court lifted the status quo ante order.
“When it was lifted, it means any time the Marcos family can already bury former President Marcos,” Aglipay-Villar said.
Castro said he does not think mounting protests against the hero’s burial would escalate to another Edsa People Power uprising.
READ: Marcos burial protests erupt in different parts of Metro | Millennials lead protests vs Marcos burial
He added that the protesters do not represent the majority voice of the Filipino population.
“Ako’y hindi naniniwala na ito’y darating sa punto na magiging sunod sunod ang pagprotesta kritikal sa paglibing sa dating pangulong Marcos. Dahil ito’y issue na napakasimpleng issue. Kung mayroon mang kritikal, they do not represent the majority of the people,” Castro said.
Protests erupted across Metro Manila overnight following the sneaky burial rites of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani Friday noon, a move the administration denied knowing beforehand.
Marcos’ remains were given a hero’s burial even though the Supreme Court decision allowing it was not yet final and executory, and that the 15-day period for petitioners to file an appeal has not yet lapsed.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a petitioner in the Marcos burial case, has filed a motion before the Supreme Court to exhume the remains of the late dictator and asked the court to cite the Marcos family in contempt. RAM/rga
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