Marcos Libingan burial petition hits over 1M signatures

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte - Groups of Marcos supporters have surpassed the one million target signatures for the petition to allow the remains of former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. 

The signatures will be turned over to the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday. A simple mass will be held in front of the SC prior to the turn over. 

The SC earlier extended the status quo ante order against Marcos’ burial at the Libingan until October 18. 

Lawyer Hyacinth Rafael-Antonio, Marcos family legal counsel, said the signature gathered signify that there are numerous Filipinos who are in favor of the burial of the late president at the Libingan. 

The signature campaign was launched a month ago through the online website Change.org and through on-ground efforts. 

"The signature campaign is to reiterate that there's massive public backing and support for President Duterte's decision to give a hero's burial to the former president and World War II veteran," said James Caesar Ventura of the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association, one of the groups who spearheaded the campaign. 

The campaign was also spearheaded in parts of Metro Manila by groups like the Buong Bayan Magkaisa (BBM) Youth Movement and Friends of Imelda R. Marcos (FIRM) 24k. 

In Quezon City, the United Marcos Loyalists in the Philippines (UMLP) and Kilusang Kaisipang Diwang Pilipino (KKDP) carried out the gathering of signatures. 

As of Wednesday, the petition mirrors the support given for former senator Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos Jr. in his vice presidential bid last election, with the bulk of signatures coming from the Marcoses' bailiwick in the Ilocos Region. 

The tally also includes the official reports from loyalist groups' campaigns among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other nations. 

Antonio urged, "Those who signed are also citizens of our country whose convictions must be considered for national unity and healing to become a reality. Nevertheless, we should keep in mind that the case has been submitted for the resolution of the SC. We should trust that the SC will rule in accordance with law.”