A few days before the 25th anniversary of the Feb.25 EDSA 1 revolution , senator Ferdinand “Bongbong “ Marcos Jr. declared the Philippines could have been as progressive like Singapore if his father, the late president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos had not been kicked out.
He was referring to the highly developed and economically prosperous –island city-state which was ruled by authoritarian Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
“If there was no EDSA 1, if my father was allowed to pursue his plans, I believe that we would be like Singapore now “ said the young Marcos.
Insisting that on the fateful night of Feb.25,1986, they were “shanghaied “and flown to Hawaii instead of Paoay, In Ilocos Norte, where his father had originally wanted to retreat in exile.
Senator Marcos, known as Bongbong or Bonget, said “we did not leave the country, we were taken away and not allowed to return “.
The young namesake of his father is believed to be being groomed for the presidency but has remained coy about his political plans.
At the moment, he is urging the Aquino government to give his father a hero’s burial, which is at the “Libingan ng Mga Bayani“ , a hallowed resting place reserved for the nation’s heroes including former presidents.
Since their return from Hawaii in the early 90’s, they have lobbied
the government for this honor citing among others his exploits as a World War II hero and as a former Philippine president . Though ousted in the Feb.25 revolution, Marcos was never charged nor convicted of any crimes.
His widow, now congresswoman Imelda R. Marcos had her husband encased in a preserved state awaiting the government’s decision.
His mortal body, refrigerated in a controlled temperature like that of communist leader Vladimir Ilyich Lenin in Moscow, lies in state in a family museum in Ilocos Norte and is now a sort of a tourist attraction.
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There is now an ongoing debate or discussion on the Marcos issue of his burial.
One school of thought says giving him the honors is tantamount of absolving him of his many crimes against the Filipino people including the assassination of Ninoy Aquino.
Two of the characters who drove him out of power namely senate president Juan Ponce Enrile and senator and ex-col. Gregorio “Gringo“ Honasan, both
agree that he deserve a fitting rest at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.
Enrile reasoned out the late Marcos “deserved the distinction owing to his achievements as a World War II veteran, legislator and a president “.
On the other hand, Honasan said he “welcomed the proposal to fully accord Marcos the honor of being buried at the cemetery usually reserved for the likes of soldiers of high distinction “.
He added, “I think it’s about time to bury the culture of anger, hatred, vindictiveness and recriminations. It will not diminish our selfish right as a people if we collectively decide to undertake this act of statesmanship“ .
In then meantime, President Noy Aquino had inhibited himself on the matter but designated His vice president Jejomar Binay to decide on the matter .
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A ticklish and sensitive matter indeed especially for President Aquino since his family was the direct victim of the late president.
But at the end of the day as Senator Honasan had said, its time to bury past animosities and we are confronted as a people with this question posed by the Asian Journal, a community newspaper in California:
“Do the Filipinos have the courage to forgive President Marcos ?
Citing Mahatma Gandhi, it said “forgiveness is a virtue of the brave “
Are we ready to move on ?.
Note: in my last column, the title should have been “ the AFP from hero to Heel “ and not the AFP from hero to hell. Balita acknowledges the error.