Today, November 8, 2016, the Supreme Court decided to bury ex-president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, by a vote of 9 to 5.
SC spokesperson Theodore Te announced the reasons on allowing Marcos’ hero’s burial:
- There was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of President Duterte in ordering the burial of Marcos at LNMB. There is also no law that prohibits the burial of the former president Marcos.
- President Duterte has the power to decide on the use of land within the public domain, and that does not exclude LNMB.
- Marcos was a former president, commander-in-chief, soldier, and secretary of national defense.
- Some justices disagreed that Marcos was “dishonorably discharged” as this only applies to the military.
- Marcos was not convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.
Ferdinand Marcos served as the president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was considered a dictator during the Martial law, which lasted from 1972 until 1981.
While some people were supportive of this decision, a lot of netizens were against it. Below is a photo posted by Huhsmile on Facebook.
A lot of people also used Twitter as a platform to voice out their opinions.
“Bayan ko, binihag ka. Nasadlak sa dusa.”
Bayan ko, binihag ka. Nasadlak sa dusa… Aking adhika, makita kang sakdal laya
#neverforget #neveragain #Marcosnotahero pic.twitter.com/tuHAtSaLwT
— Shai Lagarde (@lovechicph) November 8, 2016
“Be angry & sad. Cry & let your voice be heard. Always be this noisy.”
We’re all victims of martial law. Be angry & be sad. Cry & let your voice be heard. Always be this noisy. #NeverAgain #NotMovingOn
— introvert cola (@lizzytimbreza) November 8, 2016
“Justice has perished.”
“Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo”
Once sung by Filipinos to our nation, now just an expression of how justice has perished. #MarcosNotAHero
— Nathania Chua (@PilosopoTanya) November 8, 2016
“There are no words.”
There are no words pic.twitter.com/9cu9STcOXw
— Alyssa Lapid (@alyssalapid) November 8, 2016
“Buti pa si Marcos may malilibing na katawan. Yung iba hindi man lang natagpuan.”
Huling hinanakit: Buti pa si Marcos may maililibing na katawan. Yung iba hindi man lang natagpuan.
— Gillian Figueroa ॐ (@gillianfigg) November 8, 2016
“What is legal is not always just.”
Let this be a perfect example of the fact that what is legal is not always just. #NeverAgain #MarcosNotAHero
— Hella (@hellamerencilla) November 8, 2016
“History isn’t necessarily written by the victors, but by oligarchs.”
History isn’t necessarily written by the victors, but by oligarchs.
— Nathalie Dabuet (@natdabuet) November 8, 2016
“Qualified as president, but never as a hero.”
The Marcos burial issue is not a question of legality,but of morality. He maybe qualified as a president, but never as a hero. #NeverAgain
— Risse (@risse_me) November 8, 2016
“Nalilito sa tunay na ibig sabihin ng salitang ‘bayani’.”
Ay nalilito sa tunay na ibig sabihin ng salitang “bayani.”
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) November 8, 2016
“His triumphs can never justify the death of thousands.”
Marcos IS NOT a hero & will never be. His triumphs during his time can NEVER justify the death of thousands. We will not forget. #NeverAgain
— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) November 8, 2016
Netizens also mentioned the 8th of November as a date not to be forgotten.
“The 8th of November.”
Three years ago, Yolanda. Today, Marcos. #NeverForget #8thOfNovember
— Noreen Paige Sapalo (@smallofasia) November 8, 2016
“The day our nation chose to forget the darkest pages of its history.”
November 8 goes down as the day our nation chose to forget the darkest pages of its history. Do we deserve this democracy? #MarcosNotAHero
— Nathania Chua (@PilosopoTanya) November 8, 2016
To protest against the decision, several memes regarding the Libingan ng mga Bayani were also created this afternoon.
Libingan ng mga Bayani ATBP.
just learned the awful news. all i can say is puñeta! #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/Gw5nyDuwuo
— Ogie Gimao (@ogster) November 8, 2016
Libingan ng mga Bayani -1.
Editing skills on point#NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/XAecDCH30J
— Savage Shakshuka (@JuanCaFe_) November 8, 2016
At the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
At the Libingan ng mga Bayani
Marcos: Hi fam bam! Hi mga kapwa bayani!
Bayani: Yoko na dito beh pic.twitter.com/t3O2Aj2fpL— Jai Cabajar-dashian (@jaicabajar) June 11, 2016
How did the SC’s decision make you feel? Share your thoughts with us below!