To Bury or Not To Bury: The Marcos Impasse

The burial of the late President FerdinandMarcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani has spurred rage and countless criticisms among anti-Marcos protestors. According to them the act came “like a thief in the night”, and has tarnished Philippine History in the worst possible way.

But on the other side of the fence, the Marcos Faithful heaved a sigh of relief, not once but twice. First, when the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Marcos’ which allowed the former president for his remains to be put finally to rest among the country’s revered dead. And then, close the chapter of the most awaited burial that span ages to happen.

The lingering question now is: Who’s wrong, and who’s right? One must not lay blame on the other because both sides have their flaws. Let’s take it on a neutral perspective, shall we?

Anti-Marcos activists’ took to the streets to express their dislike on the matter. For most part, they are just exercising their “freedom of expression”, as they continued to rant about President Marcos’ ruthless acts of dictatorship that spanned the Martial Law era. Allthough it is unfortunate that there are lots of suffering experienced under Martial Law, it is also imperative for everyone to keep an open mind and positivity rather that let rage reign in their heart. Why pin all faults towards just a single guy whom, for all their intents and purposes, became the scapegoat. And yet they failed to consider the fact that a person cannot work alone; where are the co-conspirators, the advisers, the so-called Marcos-cronies? These people must equally answer for what had transpired in an era that they claim was marked by senseless killings and sufferings.

Though there are so much negativity that shrouded society in these trying times, people should also consider the positive effects of the foregone era. What about the soaring economy during Martial Law that saw the Philippine Peso rise to new heights versus the US Dollar? How about the low cost of price commodities and transport fares? Not to mention various infrastructures that made life easier for Filipinos like the NLEX or SCTEX, or the world-renowned Cultural Center or the Lung and Heart Center ofthe Philippines? For crying out loud, the world doesn’t stop turning, whether it’s for the good or for the bad.

Let’s now take a look on the other side of things.

Since the Supreme Court already made the ruling, it must then be upheld. Former President Marcos, for all intents and purposes, is still a Filipino and has the rights and privileges of every other Filipino. The current President Rodrigo Duterte is never to blame for upholding his decisions by virtue of his right of being the “Father of the Philippine Republic”. Such a dilemma could have been avoided if only laws were passed by the previous Aquino Administrations (6 years under Pres. Corazon Aquino and another 6 years by Pres. Noynoy Aquino). And maybe just for once, all must realize that the Government’s structure is separated into 3: the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary. Each possessing individuality when making pertinent decisions in matters of state.

Yes, the Marcos Family may have “surprised” everyone at the spur-of-the-moment decision to bury the late President. But be reminded too that’s solely a family decision. Every Filipino family has their own right when, where and how they bury their dead as accordance to what is allowed under the law. They wished it to be done in private, and it is done as such. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that.

It is not in knowing but in learning that one can benefit from the events that transpired. But take note, everything does not end in just learning from the past. What matters is making the most out of the present situation for the benefit of future generations to come.