Palace: No legal basis to block Marcos burial

MANILA, Philippines - Efforts to obstruct the internment of previous President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (saints' burial ground) don't have lawful premise, Malacañang said Monday.

Boss Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo focused on that Marcos is qualified to be entombed at the legends' graveyard as a previous president and a war veteran.

"It's a majority rule nation. Everybody is qualified for document [a] request in court. In any case, I don't think there is a lawful premise for that," Panelo told columnists Monday in a meeting.

"The control issued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines is clear. The individuals who are qualified for be entombed in the Libingan ng mga Bayani are, among others, officers and presidents so on the premise of that, the late President Marcos is qualified for be covered there," he included.

Panelo likewise neglected reactions that Marcos does not should be given a saint's internment in light of the affirmed human rights infringement conferred amid his administration.

"It (law) does not recognize whether president is great or awful, good looking or appalling. In case you're a president, you're qualified for be covered there," the president's attorney said.

"Since a few people are against it for reasons of their own, they're allowed to express their position and their difference and the Constitution ensures flexibility of gathering. President Duterte, actually, empowers it and won't do anything to stop them," he included.

Move intended to bring conclusion

Duterte has given the go-sign to cover Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, trusting this would put conclusion to a standout amongst the most fervently issue in Philippine history. Marcos, whose 20-year administration was finished by the memorable 1986 People Power Revolution, is planned to be buried at the saints' graveyard on Sept. 18.

Human rights activists and Martial Law casualties, nonetheless, trust the internment would send a wrong flag and would affront different saints who yielded for the nation.

Sen. Leila de Lima said human rights casualties amid the Marcos administration may record a class suit to stop the previous president's internment.

Malacañang authorities did not give direct answers when inquired as to whether Marcos would be covered at the Libingan ng mga Bayani as a saint.

"The word saint is a relative term. For others, Mr. Marcos might be a heel however to millions others, he is a legend. It relies on upon the discernment," Panelo said.

"Mr. Marcos was not accused of a wrongdoing of good turpitude. In case you're alluding to common cases with respect to bequest, it is a common case," he included.

Squeezed if Marcos would be entombed as a saint, presidential representative Ernesto Abella answered: "He will be covered. Much thanks."

"Whatever I can say is this. As indicated by the controls that have been alluded to, there are two purposes behind him to be covered. He was an ex-president and he was a war veteran, so I think there is no reference on whether he is tyrant or not. As per controls, he is qualified," he included.

In a meeting with columnists in Davao City, Duterte said his obligation of appreciation to the Marcoses is not the reason he is permitting the entombment of the previous president at the saints' graveyard. Duterte's dad Vicente was a Cabinet individual from Marcos yet his mom Soledad was a supporter of his political opponent Corazon Aquino.

"We should adhere to the law. It's not about obligation of appreciation to Marcos," the president said.

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