The controversial and enduring issue about the burial of the former president Ferdinand Marcos took another turn as the sons of political two political icons collides. Ilocos Norte Rep. and senatorial candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. shattered his silence about Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s current declaration that the late former president is not worthy to be rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) situated in Taguig City.
The former first-son criticized Aquino for flipping on the issue in a press conference last Wednesday for his product endorsement, “Blackwater” cologne and deodorant by Ever Bilena.
“Nagtataka ako dahil bago na naman ang (sinasabi niya). Dahil noong nasa Isabela siya at tinanong siya tungkol sa paglibing sa aking ama sa Libingan ng mga Bayani eh sinabi niya na he will put his personal feelings aside at magpapatayo siya ng komisyon upang mapag-aralan ang isyung ito,” the congressman said.
Marcos also stated that Aquino’s testimonial may have somewhat to do with his [Marcos'] statement that the EDSA 1 people power was a “failure.”
“Siguro, mayroon akong nasabi na hindi niya nagustuhan, nagbago na naman ang isip niya at sasabihin na huwag akong umasa na ililibing ang tatay ko sa Libingan ng mga Bayani, which is a little bit surprising for me because I thought that he has taken a position that he will put up a commission. So I’m just wandering kung ano ‘yong thought process niya. So siguro, kapag pinuri ko siya ay babalik na naman at sasabihin na ililibing ang ama ko sa Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Marcos said.
He explained: “So it’s dependent on whether you are nice to the position he makes, it’s dependent whether he likes what you say or he doesn’t like what you say… ito ay karapatan ng isang pangulo, isang naging bayani na sundalo na lumaban sa giyera, at kung anuman ang sabihin mo at ng ibang tao does not change the past that he was the president for 20 years, that he was a soldier who fought for his country and the most decorated soldier in World War II in the Philippines, and that is clear that that is the right na dapat ilibing siya sa Libingan ng mga Bayani. What other people say should not make a difference.
‘Don’t let your emotions rule’
Marcos also advised Liberal Party frontrunner Sen. Noynoy Aquino, to make policy decisions based on reason rather than emotion.
“If you are going to aspire for an influential and higher position in government, in any endeavor, you cannot allow your emotions to rule your mind, you have to use your mind, you have to understand the rational the objective, and it’s a little surprising for me that rationality and objectivity has left, parang umalis na doon sa usaping ito. I don’t know why he changed his position. Like I said, maybe he didn’t like what I said.
“The policy of a person in high office should not be determined by his own personal emotion. That is not the way to govern, and that’s not the way to find the best way to help the people.”
