What’s the fuss about the Marcos’ military burial?

THOSE WHO want the body of former President Ferdinand Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani argue that he was a genuine war hero and deserves to be honored and laid to rest there.  Those against it argue that all his war records were fake, and for having ravaged this country under martial law, he deserves to rot where his cold remains presently lie. This debate has gone on for years on end.

A compromise seems to have gelled of late, courtesy of Vice President Jejomar Binay who suggested that the former dictator be buried in Ilocos but with full military honors because, willy-nilly, he was a former president.

But when you look at the bigger picture, all those arguments are really neither here nor there.  Never mind the blabbermouths among us; the only important thing to consider is how the Filipino people think about the Marcoses.  The results of the last-held election were both an eye-opener and a real puzzlement.  Aside from electing Noynoy Aquino president, they elected Bongbong Marcos senator—not to mention that the latter’s mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, and his sister, Imee Marcos, were also elected honorable members of the House of Representatives. What does that tell us? That the people have forgiven them and forgotten the past? At the same time, they want to keep their faith in Edsa I by electing P-Noy president? Go figure!

But be that as it may, Gen.  Angelo Reyes was buried at the Libingan with full military honors only for the reason that he was a chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines—never mind that he was facing the huge prospect of being haled to court for plunder.  He was not yet convicted and therefore presumed innocent, duh!  So what’s the deal with Marcos?  Neither was he convicted of any crime, was he?

So dig that hole at the Libingan already and dump Marcos in it. Better yet, lay him side by side  General Reyes for they certainly share a common ground (no pun intended) for being there—the former merely for being a former president, the latter an AFP chief of staff.  That is the only protocol being observed in determining who is qualified to be interred  there.

But seriously, who the heck cares? Let’s move on. Next issue, please?

—STEVE Y. VESPERA, Esq.

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