Drilon on Marcos burial: A thief even in death

The burial of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos on Friday was reminiscent of the Martial Law era as “even in death, he is a thief,” Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon said in a statement.

Drilon criticized the “stealthy and hurried manner” of how the remains of Marcos were buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“Like what Marcos did for 21 years, he caught us off-guard like a thief in the night. His burial is anything but noble. Even in death, he is a thief,” the statement read.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who earlier filed a resolution opposing the burial at the heroes' cemetery, echoed the sentiments of Drilon.

No hero’s burial can erase the historical fact of Marcos’ atrocities, she said.

“Hanggang sa dulo, nagnanakaw si Marcos. Ang kanyang pekeng hero's burial ay isang nakaw na sandali,” Hontiveros claimed.

“Ganunpaman, kahit kailan, hindi niya mapupuslitan ang katotohanan sa likod ng ating kasaysayan,” she said.

“Walang puntod, walang mausoleo, walang desisyon ng anumang korte o utos ng sinumang Pangulo ang makapaglilihim sa katotohanan na hindi bayani si Marcos,” Hontiveros added.

In another text message, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said the burial was a “sad development.”

Senator Leila de Lima, for her part, said history will judge Marcos for the human rights violations he committed.

“Maaaring masunod ang lahat ng kagustuhan ng mga makapangyarihan sa usaping ito. Ngunit sa dulo at sa huli ay hindi maililibing ang katotohanan ukol sa kabuktutan, karahasan at pandarambong noong panahon ng Batas Militar, De Lima said.

Marcos was buried at noon Friday, after his body was flown from Laoag, Ilocos Norte. — VDS, GMA News