Marcos a hero based on military standards –SolGen

Though the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. is not considered by the State as a national hero, he can be considered as such based on military standards, Solicitor General Jose Calida said Wednesday.
 
"Based on military standards, given to a medal of valor awardee, former President Marcos fits to the definition of a hero," Calida said at the continuation of the oral arguments before the Supreme Court.

The SC is holding oral arguments on the consolidated petitions opposing the government’s plan to bury Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

Marcos, a former soldier, was awarded a medal of valor in 1958 for his participation in the Philippine-US resistance against Japanese occupation during the World War II.
The medal of valor is the highest honor that the military awards to its outstanding members.

“Based on the military standards given to awardee of medal of valor. He (Marcos) fits to the definition of a hero,” Calida said.

Calida then read a portion of Presidential Decree 1687 to define the meaning of a medal of valor awardee.

"It says here that the Medal of Valor 'is the highest award that may be given a Filipino soldier in recognition of conspicuous acts of gallantry above and beyond the call of duty and in total disregard of personal safety'," he said.

"'Whereas, an awardee of the Medal of Valor, for his supreme self-sacrifice and distinctive act of gallantry, performed more than ordinarily hazardous service and deserves due recognition from a grateful government and people," Calida added, still reading a portion of PD 1687.

When asked, however, by SC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen on who issued PD 1687, Calida admitted that it was Marcos who signed the said declaration in 1980.

"So, Ferdinand Marcos, who is a medal of valor awardee, issued this decrees?” Leonen asked.

Calida replied in the affirmative.

Leonen then  asked Calida if President Rodrigo Duterte is already pardoning Marcos for human rights abuses during Martial Law because of his pronouncement that the former President must be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

"I do not know your, honor. But his policy is national reconciliation and healing,” Calida replied.

Duterte, during the campaign period for the presidential elections,stated that he would grant a hero's burial for Marcos to end divisiveness and achieve "national reconciliation."

Duterte had earlier maintained that Marcos is qualified to be buried at LNMB not only as a former president but also as a former soldier.

During the oral arguments, Calida said that if allowed by the SC, the tentative date of Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani is on September 18.

Calida said Marcos will not be accorded a full state honor during the interment ceremony but only a 21-gun salute, the ordinary military honor accorded to former presidents, statesmen and soldiers. —KBK, GMA News