SC extends status quo ante on Marcos burial to Nov. 8

MANILA — The Supreme Court has extended its status quo ante order on the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani until November 8.

The extension was announced yesterday afternoon by lawyer Theodore Te, the high court’s spokesman. This is the second time the SC has extended the status quo ante order on Marcos’ burial. The first time was last month.

Marcos loyalists had kept an overnight vigil at the SC in Manila since arriving in the capital Monday after a four-day march from the Ilocos region in anticipation of a decision on several petitions filed by those opposed to the Libingan burial, among them victims of the 14-year dictatorship.

Reacting to the extension, Ephraim Cortez, secretary general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, said: “History has already laid down the verdict when the Filipino people—as one—decided to break free from the bondage of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.”

“In deciding on the issue of whether the late dictator is fit to he buried at the Libingan, the NUPL is hopeful that come November 8, the SC will stand on the side of justice, history and reason,” he said.

Akbayan party-list hailed the extension of the order. “This is not about the literal process of just resting a man onto the ground,” declared Akbayan president Machris Cabreros.

“This is a case of symbolism, and what it means for the state to expend its resources to honor a man who brought horrors upon this country, plundered its coffers and whose cronies and family continue to live affluent lives at the expense of Filipinos for generations to come,” Cabreros said.

“We hope that the SC takes its time to interpret the Constitution in a manner consistent with its raison d’etre, which is the shameful and sovereign ouster of Marcos,” added Cabreros in a statement sent to media outlets.

“Justifying his burial as a hero through antiquated military regulations is a cowardly act meant to repay political debts and glamorize his excesses,” explained Cabreros. “The SC is in the best position right now to put a stop to this revisionist campaign and contribute to the maturing of our democracy.”

The petitions against the Libingan burial were filed after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered preparations for Marcos to be buried at the national cemetery. The vote of eight justices is needed to shoot down the move.