Halt order vs Marcos burial lapses today

MANILA — The status quo ante order (SQAO) issued by the Supreme Court that has prevented the burial of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani will lapse today, October 18, according to an ABS-CBN News report yesterday.

The SQAO was in favor of several petitions that challenged the current administration's move to allow the burial of Marcos at the Libingan, where fallen soldiers, national artists, and other personalities "worthy of emulation" are also interred.

Petitioners, led by former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, argued that Marcos' burial at the Libingan violates Re- public Act 289 — "An Act Providing for the Construction of a National Pantheon for Presidents of the Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the Country."

The Office of the Solicitor General, representing respondent government officials, on the other hand, pointed out the following arguments:

Marcos was, in life, a president, commander-in-chief, retired military veteran and Medal of Valor awardee, and thus, may be interred at the Libingan pursuant to [Armed Forces of the Philippines] Regulations G 161-375;

The interment of Marcos’ remains at the Libingan is not contrary to public policy, does not contravene the principles of the 1987 Constitution, and does not violate the country’s obligations under international laws;

The recognition and reparation of human rights violations victims would not be impaired by the interment of Marcos at the Libingan; and

President Rodrigo Duterte is not bound by the alleged 1993 Agreement between former president Ramos and the Marcos family to have the remains of the late president Marcos interred at Batac, Ilocos Norte.

The consolidated case is on the agenda of the high court's en banc session today.