Imelda Marcos on late husband Ferdinand: ‘Maka-Diyos, makatao, at tunay’

“Isang taong maka-Diyos, makatao at tunay.”

That was how former First Lady Imelda Marcos described her late husband, former President Ferdinand Marcos, during the gathering held for him on Saturday.

The vigil was held a day after the clandestine Marcos burial at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City.

In her speech, the former first lady said her late husband wished nothing but the betterment of the country.

“Wala siyang naiisip sa kanyang buhay kundi tulungan ang kapwa at ganoon din padakilain ang ating bansa,” Marcos said, now the representative of the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte.

Despite overcoming this trial, Marcos said they still have a long way to go. “Kaya alam ko, Ferdinand, ngayon matatahimik ka na. Nandito siya sa Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Ngunit alam ko na marami pa tayong haharapin. Alam ko na sa katapusan, magwawagi ang panginoon at ang taong bayan,” she said.

She also thanked the Marcos loyalists, especially the Ilocanos, for their continued support.

“Ako ay nagpapasalamat sa bawat isang Ilokano na nandidito at mula rito na siyang nagbigay ng lakas-loob sa akin sa 30 mahigit na taon na kami ay umasa na bigyan ng eternal rest si Pangulong Marcos,” Marcos said.

“Sa inyong lahat, maraming maraming salamat…. [Salamat sa] inyong tulong at suporta sapagkat hindi lang mga tao ang nagpahirap sa mga Marcos kundi ang gobyerno at superpowers,” she added.

Marcos’ remains were flown from Ilocos Norte to Manila late Friday morning, with the private burial held at noon at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Some 2,000 supporters, on board 51 buses and 49 private vehicles, visited the former leader's grave to express their support for him.

Protests

Meanwhile, several groups and personalities continued to express their resistance to the burial of Marcos at the heroes' cemetery.

Some petitioners against the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani will file a motion on November 21 citing in contempt the Marcoses and the military for the "premature" interment of the late dictator, saying the Supreme Court's (SC) decision is not yet final.