by Ram Maxey
FILIPINOS who oppose the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos’ refrigerated remains at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, better brace themselves for a shocker. There seems to be a well organized and orchestrated campaign to persuade all and sundry to accept the notion that Marcos, despite all the bad things that have been said about him—before, during and immediately after the historic People Power revolution—was after all a hero who deserves an honored resting place at the Libingan mga Bayani.
Why do I suspect there is such a campaign?
Well, first there was this “surprise” resolution in the House of Representatives sponsored by United Opposition Rep. Salvador Escudero III of Sorsogon urging Pres. Benigno Aquino to allow Marcos to be buried at the LNMB. It figures. After all Escudero was a former member of the Marcos Cabinet. The resolution was signed by more than 200 House members, a resounding vote no doubt. Did the honorable members consult their constituents before they voted “yes” to the resolution? Obviously, not. Which only shows their disdain for their constituents’ right to be consulted and be heard on such a divisive issue.
Second, here comes from out of nowhere this private national resear ch and consulting firm called StratPOLLS, Inc. saying—with tongue in cheek, for all we know—that 72 percent of Metro Manilans favor Marcos’ burial in the LNMB, citing among other things the fact that Marcos was a World War II veteran. Conveniently enough, it did not say anything about the sins of the Marcos kleptocracy and human rights violations? Everybody knows that his alleged war exploits have been debunked by American military historians. Enough of that already, okay? Hehehe…
But here’s the real shocker, courtesy again of StratPOLLS, Inc. which was quoted to have said:
“With seven out of 10 Filipinos in Metro Manila approving of Marcos’ burial at the national heroes’ cemetery, the question of whether Marcos should be given a private burial or burial with honors now remains as the major bone of contention (italics ours).” Ganun na lang ba?
Should it be the latter—with honors—THAT would be the BONE in our collective throats. His widow, Imelda (of the 3,000 branded shoes fame) will not settle for an ordinary burial. She is famous for doing things with a flourish and in grand fashion. A spectacular funeral march, 21-gun salute as the flag-draped coffin is lowered into the grave to the plaintive sound of “Taps” as befitting a former president of his country. My goodness. Ferdinand Edralin Marcos would certainly feel truly honored—if only he could see and hear it all. And that would give pogi points to the rumored plan of son, Sen. Bongbong Marcos, to run for vice president, reportedly as running mate of Sen. Chiz Escudero who regards the presidency with moist eyes these days. Now you see the connection with his father Rep. Escudero’s resolution. They are doing it step by careful step. Istoryaheee…
As an afterthought. Who commissioned StarPOLLS to conduct its survey? Good question, that. Expect a battle of surveys, with Social Weather Station (SWS) having come out with its own survey earlier on the burial issue purporting to show that 51 percent of Filipinos surveyed voted “yes” while 49 percent said “no”. Which reminds us of Edsa I and the hundreds of thousands who made up People Power marching on Malacanang Palace to oust Marcos. Where were the pro-Marcos diehards then? Marcos did not need a survey to tell him what people felt about his dictatorship. He and his family promptly and ignominously escaped through the back door into history.
But wait…The Marcoses are back in the mix of things. Will history repeat itself? I feel like laughing, but it hurts.
