SolGen on Marcos burial divisiveness: Some people are bitter
MANILA, Philippines — Solicitor General Jose Calida on Monday stressed that the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to bury former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani is for national healing.
Calida added that the decision of Duterte was based on the Constitution and on his residual powers as chief executive and commander-in-chief.
READ: Marcos' burial a campaign promise, says solgen
Asked why the issue of Marcos' burial is being divisive, Calida said that some people cannot forgive.
"Because some people are bitter, they cannot forgive," Calida said in an interview with ANC's Headstart.
Calida added that the issue should be looked beyond the sufferings of human rights victims during the Marcos regime as they have been properly honored by enacted laws.
The solicitor general also argued that there is no law that prevents Duterte from granting the late dictator a hero's burial.
"He (Duterte) was elected as an agent of change so it is now time for change. Forgiveness requires courage and those who cannot forgive... that's why there are bitterness, enmity. He wants to put a closure to all of this," Calida said.
Calida added that Marcos was not dishonorably discharged as a soldier and that there was no criminal case filed against him when he was alive which makes him qualified for a hero's burial.
RELATED: Marcos dishonorably discharged as commander-in-chief, argues Justice Carpio
"I don't know if the petitioners can handle the truth. We are stating a reason that former President Marcos should be buried in the Libingan as a hero," the solicitor general said.
Calida reiterated that Marcos should be buried at the Libingan because he is a former president and a war veteran.
The Supreme Court has extended its temporary stopping of the burial of Marcos until October 18 to allow justices to resolve the case on merits.
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