Groups urge Supreme Court justices to reject the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani during a rally in front of the SC in Manila yesterday.
MIGUEL DE GUZMAN
MANILA, Philippines - Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday refused to comment on the anticipated release of the Supreme Court (SC) decision on petitions seeking to stop the burial of his father and namesake in the heroes’ cemetery, but declared a political comeback was forthcoming.
“Babalik tayo at babangon tayo (We will come back and we will rise),” Marcos said in his keynote speech for the opening of an art exhibit at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters yesterday for the NBI’s 80th anniversary.
“We have a lot to offer, this is just temporary, wait for the next chapter,” he added in Filipino.
“Even though I am off duty temporarily, I am doing this because of my debt of gratitude to the Filipinos. Despite everything, I was made to feel that the great number of our kababayans (countrymen) still repose their trust and belief in me,” he added.
In the vice presidential race, Marcos lost to then congresswoman Leni Robredo by a slim margin of 263,473 votes in the final and official tally. He had 14,155,344 votes while Robredo got 14,418,817.
The Presidential Electoral Tribunal is still hearing the protest Marcos filed questioning the election results of the vice presidential race in 39,221 clustered precincts in 25 provinces and five cities all over the country involving some 9 million votes.
Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos holds a rosary yesterday as she joins supporters in marching toward the Supreme Court for an overnight vigil. AP
Robredo remains optimistic
Vice President Robredo said yesterday she remains optimistic the SC will affirm petitions seeking to stop the burial of the late dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
“I always choose to be positive, I always hope that the right will come out,” Robredo told reporters.
SC justices are scheduled to vote today on the petitions filed by former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo, et al; Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, et al; former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Loretta Ann Rosales, et al, former senator Heherson Alvarez, et al and Zaira Baniaga, et al.
A newspaper reported yesterday that a majority of the justices are expected to reject the petitions against Marcos burial at the heroes’ cemetery.
The Vice President has been vocal in criticizing the abuses committed by the late dictator.
Robredo also expressed optimism the high court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, will junk the protest filed by Marcos Jr. against her.
“I always have that fear, but I always hope that the right will prevail in the end,” the Vice President said when asked to comment on reports that the SC will come out with a “package” decision favoring the Marcos burial at the Libingan and his son’s election protest.
Robredo said she chose to focus on her job as head of the country’s housing agencies.
“I just work well, keep my eye on the ball and spend all my energies on my work,” she said. “I don’t allow fear to eat me up…there are things that are beyond our control.”
Robredo also welcomed the decision of the Manila Prosecutor’s Office dismissing a complaint filed against the Commission on Elections and Smartmatic, accusing them of tampering with the May 9 election server to rig the results of the vice presidential race.
“We expected the dismissal. I think the Comelec was able to explain the process,” she said.