‘Aquino, Marcos feud is about justice’

MANILA, Philippines - It’s all about justice and not mere family feud that explains President Aquino’s resolve not to allow a hero’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani for the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, Malacañang said yesterday.

“This is no family issue, this is an issue of justice,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. stressed yesterday.

He called the critics’ attention to the thousands who suffered during the martial law regime of Marcos.

“If we closely examine Aquino’s pronouncements, we can tell that he doesn’t subscribe to the proposition that this is just a family issue because he is clearly referring to the importance of ensuring justice for everyone,” he said in Filipino.

“What we’re trying to make clear is the need to base everything on principle and not dismiss it as mere family feud,” he pointed out.

The Palace spokesman made the remarks in response to calls from Marcos’ senator son and namesake that the Aquino and Marcos families reconcile for the good of the nation. Coloma said the President has repeatedly declared that reconciliation should be based on justice.

As far as he is concerned, Coloma said there is no personal animosity among members of the two political families, as no less than former first lady and now Rep. Imelda Marcos, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos and Sen. Bongbong were guests at Malacañang on several occasions.

“We didn’t sense any personal animosity in our various interactions with them,” he said.

He said Aquino feels strongly against granting the Marcoses’ wish considering the thousands who suffered greatly during martial law.

The President earlier said that if ever a hero’s burial would be allowed for Marcos, it would not be under his watch.

In 2011, Aquino requested Vice President Jejomar Binay to assess whether Marcos should be accorded a hero’s burial at the Libingan.

Binay came up with a “50-50” solution, which was to give Marcos honors in Ilocos Norte. This was flatly rejected by Aquino.