“I HAVE not done anything to put the Marcoses back [in Malacañang].”
This was President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement on early Thursday after arriving from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru, amid fears that the Marcos family may soon return to the Malacañan Palace.
Some have expressed concern that the clandestine burial for the late president Ferdinand Marcos may also eventually give his son and namesake, former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., the chance to win his electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.
The President, however, dismissed insinuations that he may be used by the Marcoses for their own political agenda.
Duterte, who ordered the hero’s burial for the late dictator, stressed that he never made an effort and will neither make an effort to get the Marcos family back to power.
In October, Duterte did not discount the possibility that Marcos could be the country’s next vice president if he gets a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court. On June 29, Marcos filed a petition at the high court, questioning the results of the May 9 vice presidential elections.
“Bongbong [Marcos], if he wins the protest, maybe we’ll have our new vice president,” Duterte said during his trip to China, where Marcos was also present.
'I'm willing to step down if Marcos burial is illegal'
The President also said he is willing to step down from office, if there are loopholes on the hero’s burial for the late strongman.
Duterte said he had been informed about the plans to welcome him in his return to the Philippines from his participation in the Apec with nationwide protests over Marcos’s surprise burial.
Several anti-Marcos groups are set to stage a rally on Friday to express their disapproval on the burial of the late dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani last November 18.
The President maintained that all his decisions, including the hero’s burial for Marcos, “are always guided by the common good and general welfare of our people.”
But should the public prove that the Supreme Court’s decision to accord the past president a hero’s burial is unjust, he would not hesitate to concede and give up his stint.
“To all the protest organizers, let me throw this simple proposition to you: I will gladly step down and relinquish my post if you could answer in the negative two key questions,” Duterte said.
“Number one: Was the late Ferdinand E. Marcos a president and a soldier? Number two: Did the Supreme Court decide in favor and order the burial, considering all requirements set by law?” he added.
He reiterated that he could not make a decision to appease individuals who are against the burial because he would violate the law.
No permit needed
Duterte also announced that there is no need for several anti-Marcos groups to secure permits when they stage protests on Friday.
Duterte expressed concern that some local government agencies might deny the protesters a permit.
But through his directive, he said individuals opposing the hero's burial for the late dictator could launch rally in respective places with no time restrictions.
"Protest action shall be allowed in all open public places for as long as they want, with no time limit," the President said.
"The protesters will neither need to secure rally permits in fear of being evicted," he added.
Duterte said that while might not agree with the public's sentiments, he would allow them to exercise their right to express their opposition to the burial.
Duterte assured those who will join the massive protests of their security.
He said the security forces would be prohibited from bringing long firearms and would only be tasked to monitor the flow of traffic.
"Consistent with these valued principles, let me assure you that while protest actions are being staged, our military forces will remain and be confined in their camps. They are restricted to be there in their proper places," Duterte said. (Sunnex)
