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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Supreme Court is set to release its final verdict on the petitions against the burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in Taguig City.
It is expected to release its decision today, when the third status quo ante order on Marcos’ burial expires, according to the high court spokesperson Theodore Te.
“The status quo ante order … has been extended until Nov. 8,” Te said in a press statement. “The decision is expected to come out on that day.”
But information reaching Panay News on Monday said more than half of the 14 judges who will decide on the petitions will allow Marcos’ interment at the Libingan.
Serving as guest of honor at the National Bureau of Investigation anniversary on
Monday, the former dictator’s son and namesake, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Jr., refused to comment but said he will release a statement when the decision is out.
Fourteen out of 15 justices will vote on the issue. Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, who administered President Rodrigo Duterte’s oath on June 30, will not take part due to “close relations” with a party in the case.
In case of a 7-7 vote, Section 7, Rule 56 of the Rules of Court provides that the high court’s en banc shall deliberate on the case again.
If the voting stays the same after the en banc deliberation, the consolidated petitions shall be deemed denied.
Separate petitions were filed by former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo, et al.; Albay representative Edcel Lagman, et al.; former Commission on Human Rights chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales, et al.; former senator Heherson Alvarez, et al.; and Zaira Baniaga, et al.
Marcos’ burial at the Libingan would be a “grave injustice” to the victims of martial law, the consolidated petitions stated.
Meanwhile the Office of the Solicitor General, arguing on behalf of the respondents, pointed out that Duterte’s order for a hero’s burial for Marcos “is in keeping with laws.”
The Libingan is a cemetery dedicated for slain Armed Forces personnel, war heroes, former Cabinet officials, national artists, national scientists, and former presidents.
Human rights victims during the former dictator’s 20-year rule were against the President’s order.
Marcos’ remains are being kept in a refrigerated glass-paneled crypt at the family’s mausoleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte.
Marcos passed away on Sept. 28, 1989 while in exile in Hawaii. He was 72.
His remains were brought back to the Philippines in 1993, when his second cousin, Fidel Ramos, was president./PN
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