Ilocanos to hold nine-day novena for Marcos 

Marcos supporters in Ilocos Norte will hold a nine-day novena for the departed in anticipation of the late President Ferdinand Marcos' burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which the Supreme Court has recently allowed.

A report by GMA News' Saleema Refran on "24 Oras" on Tuesday said the "paluwalo" or prayer for the dead will start on Wednesday in Marcos' hometown of Batac before it moves to other parishes in the province until November 24.

In a statement from the Marcos Presidential Center, Fr. Ambrose Monroy said the paluwalo is in essence of joining the departed at least in spirit.

"Our loved ones stay included in our prayers.. that is the essence of the lualo, or 'prayer for the dead.' Secondly, this is our way of remaining united with them in spirit," Monroy said in Ilocano.

Marcos' only surviving sibling, Fortuna Marcos-Barba, and former First Lady Imelda Marcos will lead the opening novena starting at 3 p.m.

The "24 Oras" report said the last day of the paluwalo is usually the burial of the deceased, but the Marcos family has yet to release the date of the burial after the Supreme Court junked the petitions seeking to block Marcos' burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Meanwhile, more than 100 police officers from the Regional Public Safety Batallion arrived in Laoag City to aid the local police force in the preparations for the burial. Reinforcements from the Philippine Army are also set to arrive as the whole province of Ilocos Norte is placed under full alert status.

Other agencies involved in the preparation include the Philippine National Police, Highway Patrol Group, and the Laoag International Airport.

Meanwhile, the Marcos family released the last will and testament of Marcos dated March 17, 1982 where he said he wishes to be buried in compliance with the law and his position as president.

"I desire that my remains be buried according to rites established by law and with dignity suitable to my position and other personal circumstances," Marcos said in his will.

Lawyer Yvette Conveto-Laynes, counsel of the Marcos family, said the will confirms that Marcos also wants to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which is being strongly opposed by victims of Martial Law abuses and human rights advocates.

"Pinatototohanan yung sinasabi ng Marcos family na gusto niyang mailibing sa Libingan ng mga Bayani when he drafted that last will that was the first one na inisip niya. Yun yung kinonsider niya," Laynes said.

Laynes did not disclose the other details of the will, saying most of it contained his last will to his family.

"Ito ay mga personal na habilin ng dating pangulo sa mga family members and to other persons close to them," she said.  —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News