Political news , opinions and views for 2010 Presidential election

February 24, 2010

Definitely no hero’s burial for Marcos, says Aquino

by Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines—Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Aquino III has unequivocally rejected the idea of allowing a state and hero’s burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos which his rival, Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar, is supportive of.

“I would like to apologize to the relatives and those who love Mr. Marcos but we still carry the memories of his long years in office, from 1965 to 1986. What has he done that is so special that makes him deserving to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani?” said Aquino.

In an interview with reporters following a Makati forum, Aquino said the country continued to suffer from problems that were created under Marcos’ rule and the promises he made that he turned his back on.
“Why should we honor him by burying him at the Libingan ng mga Bayani?” he said.

Aquino said it was not surprising the NP would support a hero’s burial for Marcos considering that his son, Ferdinand Jr., was on its senatorial slate.

In a press conference at LP headquarters, Aquino campaign manager Florencio Abad Jr. said that while the issue of a hero’s burial was never discussed among the party’s senatorial candidates, he said the LP had consistently opposed the idea.

“That is reserved for heroes and we do not concede that Marcos is a hero. We still have to find closure to many abuses our people suffered in terms of political repression, the conjugal hypocrisy and many other issues,” said Abad.

Aquino said his family and supporters had celebrated the Edsa People Power Revolution of 1986 for the past 24 years because this has been the “defining moment of the country’s departure from the darkness.”

“Those who are attacking Edsa and its ideals are actually helping us clarify the principles that we are fighting for,” he said.

Aquino said he remained keen on uplifting the quality of politics in the country by sticking to the issues and avoiding making personal attacks against his rivals.

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