“This nation is run by the oligarchy. The oligarchy do not care about truth-telling. The oligarchy do not care about justice.”
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat
MANILA — Martial law victims, human rights advocates and progressive groups will not accept the Supreme Court decision allowing hero’s burial for Ferdinand Marcos.
In a press conference this morning, Nov. 9, Bonifacio Ilagan, spokesperson of the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses in Malacanang (Carmma) said he and fellow martial law victims will he holding more protest actions in different parts of the country.
On Nov. 8, the high court, voting 9-5 -1, dismissed the petitions against the internment of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB). The SC said Marcos is qualified to be buried at the LNMB, based on regulations issued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Neri Colmenares, chairman of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said they are just awaiting a copy of the decision and will file a motion for reconsideration within 15 days.
Colmenares said the decision is “bereft of any legal or Constitutional basis.”
Colmenares maintained that AFP Regulations G 161-375 cited by the SC justices is not a law. He noted that the decision does not mention Republic Act 289 and Proclamation No. 86, which he said both render Marcos disqualified to be buried at the LNMB.
Colmenares added that the SC decision does not debunk the legal arguments of the petitioners and the dissenting opinion of other justices.
Colmenares noted the decision invokes unity and reconciliation. He pointed out that politically, the decision failed to achieve unity and instead inflamed the people.
Product of political accommodation
Meanwhile, Carol Araullo, chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said President Rodrigo Duterte himself knows that Marcos is not a hero.
Araullo said the alliance between Duterte and the Marcoses is like any political accommodation of the past administrations.
“This nation is run by the oligarchy. The oligarchy do not care about truth-telling. The oligarchy do not care about justice,” Araullo said.
The Bayan leader said that Duterte will certainly reap firestorm. She added, however, that progressives would not join the ‘yellow, fake campaign of the Aquinos and their cohorts.’
More protests
Colmenares called on all those taking the bar examinations this Sunday, Nov. 13, to wear black as a sign of mourning.
Millenials also vowed to continue staging online and offline protests.
Jose Mari Callueng, national president of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) said many student journalists were tortured, disappeared and killed during martial law.
Callueng said today’s campus journalists have not forgotten how Marcos trampled upon press freedom and other democratic rights.
UP Supreme Student Councilor Ben Te said the youth will continue to be politically engaged.
