SC asked to reverse ruling on FM burial

Petitioner says the court must reverse its ruling as Marcos’ burial at the LNMB will not lead to ‘closure,’ contrary to the claims of President Duterte that the late strongman’s interment will promote ‘national healing’ Court is expected to decide on the petitions filed against the surprise burial today

THE Supreme Court was asked yesterday to reverse its ruling allowing the burial of the late president Ferdinand Marcos’ at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who represented the families of the desaparecidos, or those who disappeared during the Marcos regime, filed a motion for reconsideration with the SC challenging its Nov. 8 ruling in favor of the burial.

Lagman said the court must reverse its ruling as Marcos’ burial at the LNMB will not lead to “closure,” contrary to the claims of President Rodrigo Duterte that that late strongman’s interment will promote “national healing.”

“No closure would be achieved if it is at the expense of the victims of the brutalities and corruption of Marcos’ martial law regime, and for the hollow gratification and flawed vindication of a tyrant and his heirs,” Lagman said.

Not enforceable

In the petition, Lagman said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Regulations G 161375 dated Sept. 11, 2002 issued by the Department of National Defense are not effective and enforceable, due to the absence of registration with the Office of the National Administrative Registrar of the University of the Philippine Law Center, as required by the Administrative Code of 1987.

Consequently, the petitioner said it could not be the basis for the interment of Marcos in the heroes’ cemetery.

Lagman said that the message of the Edsa People Power revolu- tion, which ousted Marcos for being a “despot, plunderer and violator of human rights,” and the various rulings of the SC itself, militate against and effectively prohibit the dictator’s burial at the LNMB.

Grave abuse of discretion

According to Lagman, the respondents committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it ordered the burial of the late strongman, who “does not deserve the honor of being interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani even as a former President and soldier,” the qualifications under the AFP regulation G 161-375.

Lagman in the petition also renewed his plea for the exhumation of Marcos’ remains at the LMNB and the conduct of a forensic examination to determine what actually was buried in the tomb.

Last Nov. 18, the Marcos family and the AFP proceeded with the burial, despite the absence of finality of the SC’s decision.

The SC is expected to decide on the petitions filed against the surprise burial today. (Keith A. Calayag/Sunnex)