The SC’s status quo ante order puts the planned burial of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on-hold in the next 20 days.
Within the next 20 days, the planned burial of former dictator Ferdinand Edralin Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani will not take place according to the status quo ante order (SQAO) issued by the Philippine Supreme Court issued on Tuesday, August 23.
SC spokesman Atty. Theodore Te explained that the high court’s order suspends the burial within twenty days starting date of issue or upon date of receipt by all the petitioners and parties.
The SQAO is in favor of five petitions assailing a memorandum issued by the defense department directing the planning for said burial.
The high court also ordered the resetting of the oral arguments from August 24 to August 30.
Separate petitions were filed by former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, et al.; Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, et al.; former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales, et al., former Senator Heherson Alvarez, et al.; and Zaira Baniaga, et al.
Petitioners argued that Marcos’ burial at the Libingan violates Republic Act (RA) No. 289, “An Act Providing for the Construction of a National Pantheon for Presidents of the Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the Country,” tantamount to condonation of “abuses committed by the Marcos regime” and human rights violations during Martial Law; and a violation of the written agreement between the Philippine government, through former President Fidel Ramos, and the Marcos family on the interment of Marcos’ remains in Ilocos Norte; among others.
The memorandum, dated August 7, 2016, was signed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and addressed to Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya informing him of the verbal orders of President Rodrigo Duterte on July 11 regarding Marcos’ burial at the Libingan for purposes of planning and coordination for Marcos’ burial.
On August 12, The Malacañan Palace confirmed that Former Pres. Ferdinand Edralin Marcos shall be given the necessary ceremony on his burial day at Libingan ng mga Bayani.
President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized that it is the law, and not sentiments or emotions of some, which will be the basis of laying the corpse of Former Pres. Marcos at the Libingan.
Related Articles: Marcos Deserving Of Military Honors – Palace Says.
