A Filipino-American group that says its members supported President Aquino in the May 2010 elections expresses dismay over his “seeming abnegation of responsibility” over the controversial proposal to bury the remains of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Responding to this column’s discussion of the issue (May 21), a member of the US Pinoys for Good Governance emailed to me the group’s May 10 letter to Mr. Aquino, signed by Loida Nicolas Lewis, chairperson, Rodel Rodis, president, Ted Laguatan, spokesperson, and 67 others.
Attached were copies of email exchanges among USP4GG members, all outraged over the idea of making Marcos a hero.
The letter urges President Aquino to “take charge” and “openly declare to the Filipino people that the late dictator was absolutely no hero and that you owe it as your duty… not to have Marcos buried as a hero at the Libingan ng mga Bayani - not only now but forevermore.”
Laguatan assures that I can freely quote the USP4GG letter as well as his personal views. Three members, Greg Mariano Jr. (who emailed the letter), Charito Benipayo (who urges “mass action ASAP”), and Jessy Ang likewise have agreed to be quoted.
Ang, a psychiatrist, laments:
“It is sad that the Marcos family can get away with a national crime, emboldened by unprincipled large number of congressmen and a president who has abandoned his moral leadership to do the right thing… I ask Ted to contact the progressive groups, such as Bayan Muna, Akbayan, and Gabriela to hold a candlelight vigil in front of Malacanang… and the Philippine Congress to show our disapproval.
“I am afraid that the civil societies have been demoralized and disillusioned by supporting leaders that promise change, [but] when they assume office . . . become obstacles to the radical reforms our nation needs.”
Mariano Jr. wonders why President Aquino hasn’t replied to the USP4GG letter handed to him on May 16, when the law (RA 6713) requires public officials and employees to reply, within 15 working days from receipt of letters or other means of communication sent by the public, stating the action taken on the request.
Portions of the USP4GG letter state:
“As an absolute dictator, (Marcos) engaged in all kinds of corruption and also stole directly from the nation’s treasury, amassing an indecent fortune while Filipinos starved. US military records also prove that Marcos’ claims of having been awarded 27 medals for heroism in WWII are blatantly false. In short, President Marcos was far from a hero; he was a villain who brought shame, suffering and impoverishment to the Filipino people.”
“[If Marcos were buried as a hero] we would be the laughing stock of the world and be the subject of ridicule. We would be shamed, disrespected and dishonored. Overseas Filipinos would especially suffer much.
“We also don’t need a Marcos hero’s burial for us to move on. If in fact that happens, it will continuously disturb our peace and national self-respect because we know that a terrible lie has been imposed on us.”
These portions drip with pain:
“Like millions of Filipinos in the homeland, we supported [you: President Aquino] in the 2010 elections believing that you would be true to your promise to provide the moral leadership to rid the country of institutionalized corruption and other evils.
“However, your seeming abnegation of responsibility on this important issue is very disturbing. By passing this onus to the Vice President, the perception is that as President you do not want to provide the proper leadership to protect the people and nation from being dishonored and insulted by the possible hero’s burial of a despotic corrupt former President.
“With all due respect, we view as puzzling your reason from recusing yourself from this issue: ‘I don’t want to appear biased.’ Every right-thinking individual should be biased against honoring and burying as a hero a man who in truth and in fact was a villain. While your intention may have been to be fair to all which is admirable true fairness involves adherence to truth. The obvious truth: Marcos was clearly not a hero.
“Among other things, burying him as one would bring to naught the honor and pride we acquired as a people from the EDSA revolution which toppled the dictatorship and inspired people around the globe to bring down similar corrupt regimes. It would also seem to waste the sacrifices paid for with blood by the President’s father and other true heroes and martyrs for our people’s freedom and dignity.”
Howls Dr. Philip S. Chua, chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA: “Hell NO! Marcos is no hero!”
Laguatan, a lawyer, bluntly avers:
“When P-Noy passed the responsibility of making the decision to Binay . . . he was playing accommodation with the Marcoses. It’s conceivable that he now has a friendly relationship with Bongbong and Imee. His best friend Ochoa and Bongbong’s wife are law partners, providing the bridge system to enhance that relationship.
“Commendable if it’s for the good of the country; bad if it is for their own selfish personal interests.”
What’s President Aquino’s response to all these?
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E-mail: satur.ocampo@gmail.com