The President of the Republic of the Philippines met Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos in Laoag City on Friday in time for the launch of the “Kailian March,” a four-day trek from Ilocos Norte to Metro Manila days before the anticipated ruling of the Supreme Court for the hero’s burial for former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Duterte and Marcos met at the Laoag International Airport after the President’s visit to typhoon-hit Batanes on the same day.
In an interview with the governor, Duterte reiterated his earlier pronouncements that the former president deserved to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery).
“Batas ‘yan… It is very clear to me na ang decision ko, tama. As a lawyer, I could only stick to what is the law,” Duterte said.
Responding to the President’s statement, the governor said: “President Duterte once again reiterated what he knew to be right as a lawyer: that my father, a soldier, a president, and a war hero, should be buried at the [LNMB].”
The President has repeatedly said in his public speeches that Marcos deserved to be buried at the heroes’ cemetery as a former president and a soldier.
“As a former soldier and former president of the Philippines, I see nothing wrong in having [former President Ferdinand] Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” he said in a press briefing in Davao City on August 7.
During the campaign period, Duterte was vocal in allowing the burial of the elder Marcos at the heroes’ cemetery, saying it’s time for the country “to move on” and unite.