Duterte on his Marcos burial decision: No emotions at all

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night reiterated that he did not base on emotions his decision to allow the Libingan ng mga Bayani burial for former President Ferdinand Marcos.

“Kaya itong kay President Marcos simply what is the law. The law is the law. That has no emotions at all,” Duterte said in a speech during the launching of the Pilipinong May Puso Foundation in Davao City.

Duterte had urged Supreme Court magistrates to base their decision on the Marcos burial petitions on the law and not on emotions.

Voting 9-5, the 15 Supreme Court justices on November 8 dismissed the consolidated petitions seeking to stop the burial of the former president at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which was backed by Duterte himself.

Petitioners had argued that Marcos was no hero, citing his dubious record as a war soldier and massive human rights violations and corruption that tainted his 20-year rule.

They also said the burial will reopen the wounds of the dictatorial rule, where thousands had been killed, tortured and disappeared for opposing Marcos.

But Duterte said the law does not specifically disallow people who have “a record of dictatorship” to be buried at the heroes’ cemetery.

Being a soldier and president is enough, he added.

Duterte wants remains burned

“It says that if you are the president, and that does not say you have a record of dictatorship or whatnot, or being a gentle despot, walang sinabi,” Duterte reiterated.

“The law says you are a soldier, you are qualified to be there. And if you are the president, you are supposed to be buried there if you want to,” he continued.

Duterte even told the audience what he wants to happen with him when he dies.

“Kaya ako, nauna na ako to obviate possible wranglings if I die tomorrow, I want whatever remains of my remains burned,” Duterte said.

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos had earlier thanked Duterte for his support to his father's burial at the heroes' cemetery.

"Malaki 'yung naging tulong ni President Duterte kahit 'di namin hiningi 'yung tulong niya," she said. —ALG, GMA News