This is to share a thought that has been in my mind for some time and has become more recurrent these days because of the “arisen” controversy over the proposed burial of a past president at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
I have no fondness for Ferdinand Marcos. On the contrary, I think that what he did to the country and our people during his presidency is unforgivable.
However, I wouldn’t mind to see his remains buried at the “Libingan…” for as long as it also becomes the final resting place of all Philippine presidents, starting with Emilio Aguinaldo. Or for those presidents buried elsewhere and whose kin would not want their remains transferred to the Libingan, a symbolic memorial grave or space could be built for each of them, where people could reflect on what positive things they did as leaders of the country. Each memorial could have a list or summary of the late president’s impact on the country’s development. Thus, we can rename the burial place “Libingan ng mga Bayani at mga Pinuno ng Pilipinas.”
Also, a fixed Memorial Day for Philippine Presidents could be calendared so that, every year, people will be reminded of what true leadership means and they can gather and pay homage to all departed past presidents.
I think each of our country’s president deserves the recognition, memory and honor. Being president of a country, after all, really means being a “bayani,” a hero, because a president has to attend to the challenges facing the nation, to keep it stronger.
This could be one positive step toward the “change” that President Duterte envisions. It would be a strong, symbolic call for all rival politicians and government leaders to reconcile and work for true national unity and prosperity.
—MA. CORAZON C. DESPABILADERAS, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City