Bautista, Coleen Joyce Q.

1A- JD4
Intro to Law: Saturday, 11:00AM- 12:00NN

OPINION REGARDING RE: MARCOS BURIAL AT THE LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI

I inhibit myself regarding the issue of whether or not the Late President Ferdinand E.

Marcos should be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

For me, it is pointless to argue about something that was already decided and whether or not

I speak my mind regarding the said issue, it will not be heard and the decision is already final and

was already executed.

People back then, when the Temporary Restraining Order was issued by the Supreme Court

regarding the said burial, said that the officials of the government should abide by the TRO issued

by the SC because it is the law. Then, when SC declared that it is constitutional for the late president

to be buried in LNMB and it should be done, they were the ones who did not respect the law.

Republic Act No. 289 provides for the creation of a national pantheon for Presidents of the

Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the country and AFPR G 161 374 the last of a series of

implementing rules relating to the construction, development and maintenance of the pantheon. The

main reason for the national pantheons being as provided in Section 1 of Republic Act No. 289 is

to perpetuate the memory of ALL the Presidents of the Philippines, national heroes and patriots for

the inspiration and emulation of this generation and of generation still unborn.

According to the law, ALL Presidents of the Philippines, which definitely, the former

President Marcos falls in since he served the longest term of presidency. Also according to Armed

Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Regulation G 161-373, the following persons are entitled to

interment at Heroes' Cemetery:

Medal of Valor awardees

Presidents or Commanders-in-Chief, AFP
The secretaries of National Defense
 AFP Chiefs of Staff
General/Flag Officers
Active and retired military personnel of the AFP
Former AFP members who laterally entered/joined the Philippine National Police (PNP) and
the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
Veterans of the Philippine Revolution of 1896, the First and Second World Wars, as well as
recognized guerrillas
Government dignitaries, statesmen, national artists and other deceased persons whose
interment has been approved by the commander-in-chief, Congress or the Secretary of
National Defense, and
Former Presidents, Secretaries of National Defense, widows of former Presidents,
Secretaries of National Defense and Chiefs of Staff
National Artists and National Scientists of the Philippines

History also shows that the Former President is a recipient of the Medal of Valor and is a

former Soldier which also falls in the enumeration of those qualified to be buried at the Libingan ng

mga Bayani. And we are not in the proper authority to question the legality or the authenticity of the

said medal. Even if its fake or not, we must agree that Marcos was still a former president and a

former soldier which depicts that he qualifies to be buried in LNMB.

However, I also think that the Supreme Court somehow ruled a bit heartless about the

people who filed the petition since their Locus Standi was questioned. They might have represented

those who were allegedly maltreated during the Martial Law. Yet, it is the courts decision and thus

it forms part of the law of the land, and we are not, again, in the authority to question the validity or

the legality of such decision.

Also, a part of the LNMB is actually reserved for the corps of the former president. I recall

watching it at a documentary and saw how empty the lot is and how it floods after a light rainfall

since the hole can accumulate lots of water because it is empty. If I were to decide, Why not bury

the old man in the said empty hole? A space was provided and there will be no changes among the

other graves if he will be buried there so, why not?

I also enjoyed listening to the stories my parents were telling me everytime they hear about

the Marcos Regime. My grandfather was then a street sweeper in Manila and my grandmother is a

housewife (both on mothers side) and they were very happy about how the late Marcos ruled and
helped those who are at the edge of the society. Students back then were given breakfasts and public

school education were the best. Unlike now, election candidates promised to lift people for the

laylayan, yet, they were the main reasons why they were at the laylayan. According to them, those

people who were punished during the Martial law were those who violated the laws. No one in our

family, even in my fathers side, turned their backs during that time and they enjoyed freedom and

the joy of having a peaceful community with nothing to worry about their security even if they all

lived in barungbarongs.

If I will be asked if I am in favor of the Marcos Burial, I always answer them with a Why

not? I am not heartless and I consider the feelings of the alleged victims of Martial Law, yet, why

not abide by the law? It is lawful to bury Marcos in LNMB, anyway so, why not? If it questions the

legality of the burial, yes, it is legal. The enumerations of those qualified for a burial in LNMB did

not mention about not qualifying a president who hurt the feelings of some. A former president will

always be a former president, regardless of how many haters he has and regardless of what he has

done during his term. So again, Marcos burial in LNMB? Why not?