Former President Ferdinand Marcos is finally allowed to be buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (LNMB) according to a ruling by the Supreme Court last Tuesday. With an outcome of 9-5, the high court dismissed all petitions against the burial of the former dictator at the Heroes’ Cemetery.
Ted Te, Supreme Court spokesperson, stated five main reasons for the said decision.
First, President Rodrigo Duterte did not exercise grave abuse of discretion after his decision because it was done in the exercise of his mandate. Furthermore, there is no existing law prohibiting the burial of Marcos’ remains at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.
Secondly, President Duterte has the authority to reserve for public use any of the lands under public domain.
Thirdly, Marcos was still a former president, commander-in-chief, soldier, medal of valor awardee, and legislator, thus according to the regulations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he can be buried at LNMB.
Fourthly, the SC disagreed that Marcos was ‘dishonorably discharged’, stating that the disqualifications only pertains to the military.
Lastly, Marcos was not charged of any crime involving moral turpitude.
IN FAVOR:
Justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr.
Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro
Justice Arturo D. Brion
Justice Diosdado M. Peralta
Justice Lucas P. Bersamin
Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo
Justice Jose P. Perez
Justice Jose C. Mendoza
Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe
AGAINST:
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno
Justice Antonio T. Carpio
Justice Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen
Justice Francis H. Jardeleza
Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa
ABSTAIN:
Justice Bienvenido L. Reyes
News of the Supreme Court’s decision was greatly welcomed by the family of Former President Marcos.
Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos also expressed his gratitude to President Duterte’s “kind gesture of unwavering commitment” to the rule of law.
