Marcos on dad’s birth anniversary: Your legacy lives on

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday vowed to carry on the legacy of his late father and namesake as he led the commemoration of the latter’s 106th birth anniversary.

Marcos also called on young leaders and government officials to emulate the values, ideals and vision of his father for the Philippines and the Filipinos, just like how these inspired him to lead the country.

“Your legacy lives on, and for as long as I’m here, I will use everything I learned from you to continue your work,” the younger Marcos said in a Facebook post.

The President led the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of his father in Batac, Ilocos Norte yesterday morning.

Malacañang has issued Proclamation No. 327 declaring Sept. 11 as a special non-working day in Ilocos Norte to mark the birth anniversary of the late former president.

In his speech, the President paid tribute to his father, particularly for the peace and order that he fought and stood for and the development he left to the Filipinos.

“For the peace and order that he fought and stood for, the development that he inspired our own citizens to build and the dreams that he left in the hearts of many, he remains a true Filipino and Ilocano icon whose exceptional mind matched the nation-loving spirit that he possessed and that he demonstrated,” Marcos said.

“Let us act in our own small and unique ways to support government, to support our people in all the initiatives and programs and continue to instill in every Filipino the sense of ownership and accountability in building our great nation,” he added.

Marcos was accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and sons Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos and Simon Marcos.

Also present during the event were Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Manotoc, Ilocos Norte Vice Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. and Batac City Mayor Albert Chua.

Marcos Sr. was born on Sept. 11, 1917 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte.

He placed the Philippines under military rule on Sept. 21, 1972 through Proclamation No. 1081 that was marked with abuses and violations of the rights of the people.

The former president died while in exile in Hawaii on Sept. 28, 1989 at the age of 72.

In 1993, the government allowed Marcos Sr.’s widow to bring his body to the Philippines, but refused her demand for a hero’s burial.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte allowed the burial of the late strongman at Libingan ng mga Bayani in 2016 amid strong opposition from martial law victims and human rights defenders.

Marcos Sr.’s body had been interred in a glass crypt at the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac City for years.

In an interview in September last year, Marcos said he is not bothered being called the “son of the dictator” even as he defended his late father and namesake’s imposition of martial law in 1972, saying it was necessary to prevent rising disorder caused by communist and separatist rebellions at that time.

Fiesta

The Ilokano community, who continue to love their beloved son and “hero” whom they call “Apo Marcos,” celebrated his 106th birth anniversary at the “Marcos Fiesta” yesterday throughout Ilocos Norte.

The Marcos Fiesta is an annual event of the Marcos family featuring medical missions and cultural shows that aim to honor the legacy of the late former president.

His namesake and only son expressed hope that “our young leaders and government officials embody the values, ideals and visions of the late president for our country, for greater roles in more meaningful endeavors.”

“May we continue the vision our dear president Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr. had for our dear province of Ilocos Norte,” Manotoc said.

The Ilocos Norte governor is the late strongman’s grandson by Sen. Imee Marcos.

“Today, we look back upon his greatness, our memories of his accomplishments and of course, we forge our path ahead to build the Ilocos Norte that we all see and dream of,” Manotoc added.

The series of events attended by the Marcos kin commenced with the “I Love Ilocos Norte” concert at the Centennial Arena in Laoag City, the provincial capital, last Friday.

Other activities included a literary and art competition, a job fair and the distribution of agricultural machinery.

Mariano Marcos State University, the late strongman’s legacy education institution, also launched a rice paddy art to honor his legacy for Ilokanos and the Filipino nation. — Artemio Dumlao