Aquino inhibits self from deciding on Marcos burial issue

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on Wednesday decided to inhibit himself from deciding on the issue on whether former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. should finally be allowed to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). “Whatever I say will be bias e, so I’m thinking of inhibiting myself from deciding on the matter, I have a government official whom I will task to study (it)," Aquino told reporters after presiding over a command conference at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. He said he will let “somebody who has less personal attachment decide on it." The President did not name the person but said he would be meeting it Wednesday afternoon. “Anything I say on the matter sasabihin decided on a subjective basis rather than on an objective basis and we would want to spare our country from that," Aquino said. He admitted that Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani has many implications. Those allowed to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani are military personnel who died in line of duty or were honorably discharged, Filipino veterans, former presidents, government dignitaries, statesmen and national artists. The remains of widows of former Philippine presidents, the secretaries of national defense and chiefs of staff are also authorized to be interred in the same plot where their husbands are buried. “Should it be in recognition of his being a soldier during World War II, should it be because he was former commander in chief, should it be because he was a former president," the President said. “Of course there will be a sector, a significant sector, especially we’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of EDSA (People Power Revolution) by next week, na nagsasabi na bibigyan natin ng honor as commander in chief and as president, hindi ba tinaggal iyung mandato sa kanya ng taumbayan. So paano magkakaroon ng entitlement," Aquino added. The 20-year reign of former strongman Marcos ended through the People Power Revolution in 1986. The bloodless revolution helped put into power Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino. Aquino’s father, Senator Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. was a senator who belonged to the opposition during Marcos' term. Ninoy was assassinated at the Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983. The airport was later renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in his honor. – VVP, GMA News