Imee Marcos: We only want a soldier’s burial, no state funeral

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos on Wednesday said that her family only wants a soldier’s burial for the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

“Simpleng paglilibing lang ng isang kawal, isang sundalo ... Hindi naman bonggang-bongga ang inaasahan [ng aming pamilya], Governor Marcos told Unang Balita.

She said that their family is planning a simple burial and not a state funeral.

“Kung ano man ‘yung pangkaraniwan na paglilibing sa ating mga sundalo, ganun lang ‘yung aking naisip. Gusto lang niya [ng tatay ko] na makasama ang mga sundalo na nakasama niya noong giyera.”

Also, she said that her family is not considering a public viewing for the remains of the former president.

“‘Yung public viewing, bahagi ‘yun ng dapat sana state funeral, ‘yung tinatawag nila na paghihimlay at lamay sa Malacañang, sa Senate, sa kung saan-saan pa. Eh sa amin, parang hindi na kailangan ‘yun, napakatagal na e,” she said.

The Marcos family has not yet set a date for the burial.

“Wala pa tayong date, dahil inaantabayanan pa ‘yung final decision ng Korte Suprema. ‘Yung bali-balita nga na may MR (motion for reconsideration), kung ano ‘yung dapat gawin sa susunod,” Marcos said.

Voting 9-5, the 15 Supreme Court (SC) justices on Tuesday dismissed the consolidated petitions that sought to stop the burial of the late strongman at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares last Tuesday said they may file a motion for reconsideration in a bid to overturn the SC's decision favoring the burial of former President Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

"Nakakapagtaka at nakakagalit na biglang nag-turn around ang Korte Suprema, pero we will seek a motion for reconsideration. We hope na magbago pa ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema, lalo na't napakalakas naman ng aming kaso," Colmenares said.

Ferdinand Marcos died in exile in Hawaii in 1989, three years after he was ousted from the presidency through the People Power uprising in February 1986.

His remains, brought home in September 1993, lie inside a glass coffin and have since been on public display at the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News