Two senators join hundreds in UP protest vs. Marcos’ Libingan burial

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Saturday joined groups against the burial of late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The two senators, joined hundreds of men and women wearing black at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in Quezon City, where the "Great Lean" protest run took place.

The "Great Lean" is inspired by the late Leandro "Lean" Alejandro, a student activist who was killed in 1987 by gunmen. He was a leading light in the demonstrations against Marcos at the height of Martial Law.

Both senators spoke to the crowd during a program held prior to the run, which covered the entire university oval.

Pangilinan said that the Supreme Court's decision to allow the burial of the late strongman at the Libingan ng mga Bayani seemed like a bad dream.

"Parang masamang panaginip...pinatalsik natin nung 1986, tapos ngayon ililibing natin bilang bayani," he said.

The Supreme Court's decision turned the Philippines into a laughing stock, Pangilinan added.

The Supreme Court voting 9-5, allowed the burial of the late dictator.

Hontiveros, meanwhile, said that giving justice for the victims of Martial Law should instead have been the priority.

"Siguro marami tayong kababayan lalo na yung mga biktima ng Martial Law dictatorship na ang dying wish ay makitang ganap na malaya at may pagrespeto sa kasaysayan ang ating sambayanan. Mas yun sana ang mabigyan daan," she said. —ALG, GMA News