Binay asks public to e-mail, text views on Marcos burial issue

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday encouraged the public to e-mail or text their comments on whether the government should allow the remains of former strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). Binay said the public may send their reactions and comments via e-mail to blog@ovp.gov.ph or text through 0926-7468212 (for Globe subscribers) and 0949-6295575 (for Smart subscribers). "We will act based on the result of the public opinion," he said in a statement. Binay likewise agreed with the suggestion of PDP-Laban president Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III that they conduct a debate on the issue. "Let there be a debate. We will not preclude anyone or anybody. At the end of the day, we will have to make a decision," he said. Binay had earlier sent out letters to political parties accredited by the Commission on Elections and non-government organizations to also seek their opinion on the matter. "The best option that this administration should take with regard to the question on (the Marcos burial issue), I have decided to undertake wide multi-sectoral consultations with our people on the matter," he said. Binay is expected to submit his recommendation to President Benigno Aquino III after the consultations on the matter have been completed. However, he earlier said that he is not in a rush to decide on the issue because he wants to get the opinion of as many people as possible. Libingan ng mga Bayani 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. But a survey by pollster SWS for the first quarter of 2011 had earlier found a "virtually exact split opinion" between supporters and opponents of the idea to let Marcos be buried at the Heroes' Cemetery. Meanwhile, Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III, who served as agriculture minister during the Marcos regime, had earlier proposed a resolution at the House of Representatives urging President Aquino to allow the burial of the late strongman at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Over 200 congressman have so far signed the resolution. Aquino, however, said he will inihibit from deciding on the matter and left the decision to Binay. 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 Aug. 21, 1983. The airport was later renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in his honor. — RSJ, GMA News