Once again, the issue of burying former President Ferdinand E. Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani has divided the nation. People on both sides of the issue have thrown tirades against each other. The anti-Marcos camp has been more aggressive, citing the so-called Marcos loot and human rights violations under the martial law era.
Anti-Marcos ‘activists’ apply an overly-emotional mind to their ’cause’ and have become out of touch with reality.
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1. Argumentum ad populum
This brings me to the way that they argue that the Filipino people in 1986 ousted President Marcos, thus disqualifying him from a burial in the Heroes’ Cemetery. That is argumentum ad populum. The popularity of an idea does not guarantee its morality and legality. Besides, the 1986 EDSA uprising did not represent the Filipino people, as President Marcos still had significant following in the country and in the Armed Forces, coming off a close election with Corazon Aquino weeks before. In fact, EDSA 1986 did not even represent the will of the entire nation.
But, suppose we choose to stoop down to the low level of this argument. And suppose EDSA 1986 did represent more than half of the Filipino. It is interesting what happened in the last election. During one of the presidential debates, the candidates were asked in the portion where they have to raise their hands, “Will you allow the burial of Ferdinand E. Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani?”
Only Jejomar Binay and Rodrigo Duterte raised their hands after being asked the question. Interestingly, during the election, between Rodrigo Duterte and Jejomar Binay, 54% of the electorate to allow a Marcos burial in the Heroes’ Cemetery.
2. They have monopolized the interpretation of morality and of history
“I will change my view on the Marcos issue because the other side insulted me and called me an apologist, loyalist, and revisionist” said no one ever.
Another thing that bothers me is the hatred and bigotry espoused by the anti-Marcos crowd. In a way, it has gotten way out of control. They have tried to impose their beliefs upon other so hard that at this point, only jihadist terrorists have done worse than them. They come from all sides of the political spectrum.
Whether we’re talking about the radical left, the liberal intelligentsia, the Yellow army which is beholden to the Aquinos, or the religious right (the same group that attacks President Duterte all the time), there is so much hatred and negative energy in the anti-Marcos side.
This, even though the interpretation of history and morality are subjective. What they fail to realize is that not every Filipino was a victim of what happened during martial law. In fact, some lived better lives during that era because of how order was restored during those years. Of course, some were unfortunately, victims.
If you are a Filipino who had more food to put on the table back then, were able to send your five kids through college (like how my grandparents did), if you felt safer walking in the streets of Manila, if you appreciate the infrastructure development, then you naturally would have more positive memories of martial law. At the same time, if you or a family member, or a friend were a victim of human rights abuses, it’s only natural for you to have dark memories.
For readers of history, it’s up to them to weigh the light and dark of the martial law era in the Philippines. It is their right to have their own views on the issue. However, the anti-Marcos has espoused rhetoric that attacks those who disagree with them. Anyone who thinks Marcos was a good president is a revisionist. Anyone who believes Marcos should be buried in the Heroes’ Cemetery is a loyalist. All Marcos loyalists and voters are idiots or lack a sense of history and morality. They’re also ridiculed on social media with hashtags like #MarcosPaRinMgaUlol and others. When you attack people that have opinions that differ from yours, is that not bigotry?
Such rhetoric from the anti-Marcos camp has far from helped them in their cause. For how can you expect the other side to believe what you say when you insult them in the very same breath? The intolerance of the anti-Marcos has not and will never be able to help them in their movement. Furthermore, their rhetoric has only made the other side dismiss them as mere arrogant propagandists.
I, for one, will not waste my time trying to have a civilized and professional discussion with a group that always espouses bigotry and hatred. Why else would anyone waste their time discussing with people that will only insult them? I am hoping that one of these days, one of them would approach me candidly, and engage in a respectful conversation. Here is a question: what does it say about a group when dissenters and those with differing opinions are shouted down, ridiculed, humiliated, and verbally assaulted?
3. They have ignored the political realities of the Philippines and the entire world in the age of Marcos
The anti-Marcos camp has continued to judge martial law as if it were an entirely bad concept, and at the same time, lashed out against President Marcos as if he were Satan incarnate. However, there are some factors that have to be considered before judging the declaration of martial law.
National Security. There were two existential threats to Philippine national security at the time of Marcos. These were the Moro National Liberation Front in Mindanao, which tried to secede from the country. Another was the Maoist New People’s Army (NPA), which the radical left faction of the anti-Marcos camp sympathizes with to this current day. The left-wing activists grew in strength, with their support coming mostly from universities in Metro Manila, a similar refuge for anti-Marcos activists of today (we will get to that in a second).
The situation became so bad, and a series of daily demonstrations from January to March 1970 became known as the First Quarter Storm. There was also the MV Karagatan arms landing in Isabela, in which the military intercepted a ship carrying ammunition, bombs, and rifles being supplied by Communist China for the NPA. By the way, don’t you find it ironic that these groups criticize Marcos for being a brutal fascist dictator while at the same time, they adhere to the teachings of Chairman Mao of China, whose policies led to the death of 35 million to 70 million Chinese people? I do not know if the radical left is aware of its hypocrisy. They criticize their own president, call him a brutal dictator, yet they praise a man who was behind the largest genocide in human history. Thanks to Jose Maria Sison and Nur Misuari, the Maoist and Moro rebellions have bedeviled us up to this day.
The international political arena. It is also worthwhile to look at the international political arena in which Marcos lived under. When he was elected President in 1965, the United States had just launched a war in Indochina. It was part of a foreign policy by the United States and its allies to stop the growth of the Soviet Union’s sphere of influence.
The anti-martial law people also probably never considered the Domino Theory. This theory holds that what happens in one nation would affect and repeat in neighboring nations. China succumbed to communist rule in 1949, North Korea was founded just a year earlier, and it was inevitable that their Asian neighbors would be next.
The communist rebellion reached Indochina, eventually. That is why the United States applied the Truman Doctrine of 1947, supporting nations under threat from communism. That is why the Americans launched the war in Indochina, and supported the regimes of Park in South Korea, Suharto in Indonesia, and Marcos in the Philippines. The seeds of the communist rebellion were already sown and have even begun to bud in the early 1970s in the Philippines. That is why it was necessary for Marcos to declare martial law in the Philippines. Our neighbors Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia all fell to communist rule while strong leaderships in the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Korea remained standing firm. Accordingly, I am aware of these facts and I am thankful that Ferdinand Marcos was the man in Malacanang on September 1972 making that crucial decision to declare martial law. Had he not declared martial law, or had it been somebody else calling the shots, the Philippines might have capitulated to communist rebellion.
These are facts, and several people from the anti-Marcos camp have refused to acknowledge these. Naturally, if they did, it would eventually annihilate their arguments against martial law and Marcos.
4. They have refused to go down their ivory tower
This part refers more to what I would like to label the liberal intelligentsia. They’re different from the radical left, although their support base is also in universities. This can also apply to the religious right and the Yellow army, however. They have argued from their high horse that Marcos was a terrible dictator who could do no right. Anyone else who has a different view is an ignorant, gullible, Marcos apologist and historical revisionist. Many Filipinos are idiots, that is why Bongbong Marcos almost won (I think he won) the last election, according to them.
It’s very easy to say that from your ivory tower. It appalls me how these people standing on their ivory tower hold in contempt Filipino masses, the voters, and those living in poverty. A reason why Bongbong Marcos performed well in the polls was because he was talking about his ideas for job creation, for wage increases, for affordable electricity, and other issue that would address the problems of these people. The intelligentsia, specifically, claims to have a monopoly of knowledge and solutions to the nation’s problems. Yet, at the same time, they insult the so-called masses, the Filipinos who cannot get jobs, the Filipinos who cannot get out of poverty, the Filipinos who cannot send their children to schools because they were led by false promises from leaders that replaced the dictator. I have never seen a group of people more out of touch with the everyday Filipino.
To conclude, these are the reasons why they have failed to make their case to the Filipino people. The anti-Marcos camp has espoused hatred and bigotry, claimed a monopoly on the interpretation of history and morality, and a huge portion of their following has remained out of touch with the everyday Filipino. Until they adjust their rhetoric accordingly, they will never be able to convince anyone from the other side.
The behavior of the Failipinos in the Failippines in these matters is often a prototype for the whole of their other modes of reaction in life.
Reality, ain’t it a Bitch in a country called the Failippines?
So called?
Fucking so called?
Seriously?
Just wow….WOW
You have a good point, but the law says that he can be buried at lnmb not that he must be buried at lnmb.
Let our laws be implemented. The law is clear that
Pres. FEMarcos is qualified to be laid in the LNMB;
so be it.
Is Cory Aquino’s dog qualified to be burried in the
LNMB? How come it was burried there?
Let the law be followed. Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos should be burried
in the LNMB. Gising Bayan…
You really deserve to be called as the voice of treason instead dipshit and it’s very obvious. Look at you. You can’t even follow a simple law because what you always want must be followed. Well reality check dumbass. You’re not the law to tell us what must do. Go live in a cave dipshit because darkness is always your friend.
Why are you surprised? There are people who prefer to look at both sides of the story yet you’re still clinging on your “everything is better after 1986” BS?
Stop whining and set your priorities for once.
Yes both sides.
The truth and then your lies.
Me personally, i tend to go with the truth from which we have evidence, recorded history and people that lived through it to tell the tale.
Explain to me again why u think your opinion trumps known facts.
Nope. Yours are all TROLL arguments. How can I lie if I’m not as EMO as you are. Or maybe you’re clueless about what it means.
I tend to go for the whole truth and not your “the glass is half full/empty” point of view. I always state whole facts here and not your empty half-truths.
Now explain to me again why you think your half-truths trumps whole facts. Oh wait, you can’t.
Says the guy who loves to overrate stuff and chose ‘facts’ just to fit on his personal agenda/feelings and not the whole of it and always goes with the “everything is better after 1986” BS and treats it as a ‘truth’.
Hypocritical faggot. -_-
You can’t even explain THESE and HOW and WHY can be THESE as lies, anyway?
I have never seen such dribble.
Are u a child that u think this cut and paste dribble devoid of zero facts and pure dribble is proof of anything, that is except the fact that it takes very little effort to convince u of anything.
I feel genuinely embarrassed for you that this was your argument.
You should be because whether you like it or not, THIS is reality check. You just can’t admit your anti-Marcos bias or trying to be objective for once.
Every time you made a comment; you’re not stating ‘facts’. All you did is to whine, bitch, and moan. Which is what a child does.
If I were you, son. Please stop being a anti-Marcos crybaby and set your priorities for once.
I have this perception that majority of the Filipinos have a dual stand on the issue of the Marcos burial. Most of them, I think, are open to let Marcos be buried at the ‘Libingan’ and at the same time hold a view that it’s also fine if he cannot be buried there. In other words, ordinary Filipinos really don’t care either way. They would rather be preoccupied with the daily grind for survival than be trapped on the endless issue of where to put who. However, since the people involved in the issue are not ordinary, for they are the kingmakers and title-holders, influential, etc., it continues to hound and nag ordinary mortals like us.
Why is this so? The issue has taken a life of its own that continues to divide the country between two parties of loyalists, the Marcoses and the Aquinos. It has become a stuff of legend, that could possibly end up as a caricature copy of the kind of party system they have in the U.S.: the Democrats and the Republicans.
There, it’s red (GOP) vs. blue (Dems). Here, it’s yellow (Aquino) vs. red, white and blue (Marcos)
So what’s my take on the issue?
To settle the issue and end the controversy, the ideal scenario for me would be a president (not necessarily the present one) not to appear to be taking sides. How to do that? Well, let me give myself as an example.
If I’m the president, I will allow the burial of Marcos in the ‘Libingan’ for the sole purpose of ending the episode of having the remains of a former president out there instead of being in the proper place where it’s supposed to be.
We’re supposed to be a Christian nation. How come we cannot move on from the past? Where is forgiveness if we really see ourselves as Christians? (To be clear, I’m not really a practicing anything). Where is the love? (Ooops, sorry BEP).
Marcos will be buried in the section where former presidents are buried. He’s a former president, therefore he is entitled to be buried along with former presidents. Common sense. With regard to him being a ‘bayani’, the followers can continue to argue on that subject as long as they want. In other words, I will give Marcos his due as former president and have him buried where we bury our former presidents. End of the story.
(I’m thinking on top of my head so I’m not sure if there is already a similar position out there like mine. If there is, I’m sorry for the repetition) ????
I agree. Ordinary Filipinos just want to move on from this debate so we could start tackling issues that natters more in out day to day lives. We just want to get over it. Unfortunately though, these “yellow intellectuals” will hound and accuse you of “historical revisionism” or “forgetting our past” if you so express these sentiments.
No, that’s not it. I want to move on from this issue. It does not, in any way, mean that we should forget everything we have learned from the Martial Law era. Why is it so hard to understand that moving on does not mean forgetting? Bury Marcos Sr. in LNMB, we move on, we heal, we avoid the bad things that were done, and we continue the good that we took from Martial Law. That’s it. That’s all I want. Why do we have to be bombarded with condescending remarks and inaccurate assumptions?
I want to move on from this issue. It does not, in any way, mean that we should forget everything we have learned from the Martial Law era. Why is it so hard to understand that moving on does not mean forgetting?
=====
Exactly! And to add to that, the loyalists on both sides (Marcos and Aquino) wants to make it appear that the whole shebang is a fight for all Filipinos and must be won by all Filipinos. Pathetic.
You know what we really need to silence both sides? A referee. Yes, a referee who will tell both camps enough is enough. Quit living in the past. Stop. Go home. The Filipinos are sick, tired and fed up with your antics. All they want is to create new and positive history rather than rehash the dreaded past ad infinitum.
I call them thought dictators. You agree with them, you are an intelligent, responsible Filipino. You don’t, you are a retard! But at least they are kinder with the millennials; they are just ‘gullible’ victims to the plunder-funded Marcos propaganda. Isn’t that fun?!
Would they engage in point-by-point debate, no! Juan Ponce Enrile is challenging them to a debate but they would not face him. They would rather pummel a dead man who can’t defend himself. Else, they produce komiks, put up museums, or stage painting exhibits nobody patronizes supposedly to remind a people with amnesia. Isn’t that fun?!
and who do they want, the communist, to be buried in the LNMB? am pretty sure it’s not for the communist.
ummm…. Duterte? Well, he’s already talking peacefully to the left. :\
I agree there was nothing wrong with the original Marcos birthday post in the Official Gazette. What was done there was actually very mild compared to all the self-serving hallelujahs to the Aquinos that the previous administration wasted government resources on.
The fuss over the Marcos birthday post shows how low journalism has sunk. Turning something as petty as that into a major news story shows there was nothing of greater consequence to report.
Other things both local and foreign media are blowing out of proportion lately so they can have “news” to report:
1. The Duterte-Widodo statements on Mary Jane Veloso
There is actually nothing contradictory in what Duterte and Widodo said about Mary Jane Veloso. Duterte said he will respect Indonesia’s final decision on the matter, and Widodo said Duterte told him to go ahead with the execution if that was his decision. So what is the big deal? How can it be said that Duterte “greenlighted” Veloso’s execution when Duterte doesn’t even have any authority in Indonesia?
2. The Obama snub
Duterte’s spokespersons said he missed the ASEAN-US meeting with Obama because he had a migraine attack. Now Duterte is saying he skipped the meeting on purpose. On cue, Philippine media goes nuts. The simple truth is probably just somewhere in between. Duterte was feeling under the weather, and wasn’t exactly looking forward to the ASEAN-US meeting, so he skipped it. Then today, while giving a speech, he said that he purposely snubbed Obama out of principle for trying to lecture him. That’s his “siga” personality. Masanay na kayo.
If these journalists had any use, they would be working on investigative reports on the drug lords’ internal purge that is causing the rise in unexplained killings. But why bother doing that, when it’s a lot easier to just sit on your butt, go trolling for Duterte slip-ups on the internet, and call that journalism.
#1 is the classic case of making a mountain out of a mole hill. inquirer comment section is more dramatic than the local tele-novela. bring your pop-corn.
U r pretending like this shit is not an ordinary event in the presidential office.
This happens every week. Some controversy.
Stop blaming the media. For reporting the news.
Look at the source ffs.
Every week U all got to String a bunch of excuses together and blame everyone else.
A statesman should not slip up….not every single day.
South Africa had the same problem, after the removal of “Apartheid”, and when the late Pres. Nelson Mandela was released from Prison.
It was anticipated that there would be a carnage on the White Minority.
However, violence did not happen. The late Pres. Nelson Mandela, formed the: “Truth and Reconciliation”…and the anticipated violence was diffused.
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, the Martial Law administrator of Marcos, Sr., is still alive. They could sue him, or take him to court, on how many people, he had murdered, tortured, made to had disappeared. Enrile is as guilty , as Marcos, Sr., if we believe what those “Never Again” believers are shouting.
Ferdinand Marcos , Sr. is a World War II soldier and a hero. He has war medals awarded to him. If the “Never Again” people, dispute those medals. Why not go after those who awarded those medals to him; and sue them? Instead, of shouting: “those medals are fake !”…YellowTard idiots, talaga !
The Aquinos and the YellowTards are the people who are fomenting this idiocy. We have other serious problems, like the Shabu proliferation problem…the Drug Lords, the De Lima Drug Lord protector, the Aquino Drug Lord protector, the Chinese Triad Drug Mafia, etc…that demand immediate attention !
Bury Marcos, Sr. at the “Libingan ng mga Bayani”…end of the story. Marcos Sr. case closed ! Time for healing of the nation !
Former Pres. Fidel Ramos, the Philippine Constabulary Chief of Marcos, Sr., was the jailer of Marcos, Sr., during the Martial Law era. They can take Ramos to court; sue him…on how many people, he had murdered, tortured, made to disappear, under Ramos’ custody at Camp Crame. Why not take Fidel Ramos, who is still alive. He is as guilty, as Marcos Sr. ! YellowTard Idiots !
Remember Edsa? Johnny and Eddie? You start from there and then you begin your litany about guilt.
EDSA is a myth, perpetuated by the Aquinos; the Lopez Feudal Oligarch Media called ABS-CBN, and other YellowTard media; the YellowTards; the Feudal Oligarchs , the Roman Catholic Church, etc…
EDSA was a
Coup d’ Etat of Enrile and Ramos; supported by the U.S. /C.I.A. and the U.S. State Department of George Schultz.
The so called “Peoples’ Power”…consist of these people demonstrators: Hakot demonstrators from Tarlac; the tenants/serfs of Aquino from their Hacienda Luisita; Sex starved Nuns, praying, released from their confinement in the Nunnery, who wanted to show their pretty faces to “cats”…they were tired of sex starved Priests sneaking into their Nunnery; Roman Catholic Priests, who were child molesters, who wanted to attract children, they would molest; YellowTards; dimwits; etc…
Cory Aquino was a Mahjong addict. She was playing Mahjong, hiding in Cebu, during that time.
After all were cleared. Marcos was kidnapped by the C.I.A., and taken in U.S. custody in Hawaii.
Cory Aquino, went back to Manila , to claim victory ! Cory Aquino put the face of Ninoy Aquino, Jr. in our currency. She erected a monument and shrine of her heroism at EDSA. She renamed the, Manila International Airport, to Ninoy Aquino International Airport…she published textbooks, to show their heroism… The Feudal Oligarch network: ABS-CBN, was busy broadcasting the heroism of the Aquinos. These people are the worst NARCISISTs, I have seen on this face of the Earth !
It is EDSA myth , perpetuated, until now. Only the YellowTard dimwits, go to the EDSA Shrine to pray (as if they know how to pray)…they have their EDSA day , also. The YellowTard go to pay homage, to the monument of Ninoy Aquino, Jr., their Hero !
Myth or not Marcos was ousted. And it happened because there was a joining of forces by his men and his enemies. Which you continue to treat and look at separately.
You have to look at the big picture to come up with a clear image.
Agree with you 100 percent. Close the Issue, let FEM be burried in the LNMB.
hahahaha they think president duterte will cut ties with the US just what cory did, that’s a bluff on you yellowtards.
….go US marines evacuate first women and children in infested ASG, if there’s men isolate them inside concentration camp, and launch the drones against these criminals. you can do it in a week or less.
….beware pilipinos who love their country! the yellows are setting up slowly to oust president duterte. you must defend your president with the power of the people. this is not a joke if you want your motherland to be a great nation again.
EDSA is a MYTH…it serves the Feudal Oligarchs and the YellowTardS purposes…
It was the work of U.S. /C.I.A. The U.S./ C.I.A. tried it in Turkey last month. The same tactic…an Islamic Clergy was involved; some of the Turkey Military were involved; some “Hakot demonstrators” , were involved…
It failed miserably…the Turkish people were much wiser ! Now, Turkey is the headache of the U.S. Turkey is strategically near Russia…Putin might be laughing at the U.S. now !
The U.S. has been an ally of the Philippines, for many years.
We just want to be treated well , as an ally. Leave the Philippine politics on our deplorable politicians, no matter how deplorable, they are… Do not interfere in Philippine affairs..
U.S. /Philippine relations can grow into a matured situation. Not the slave-master condition !
correct! but US can interfere by protecting us from foreign ideological invasion like communism if needed. but for sure america will never leave philippines again they’ve learned their lesson in the past when the yellow radicals rallied them to get out of the country pushed by cory’s revolutionary government.
America must leave the Philippines , alone, not interfere…we can be friends, but do not interfere. Communism is a failed ideology…it is the “Bogeyman” the U.S. use , to control countries. It is a “Scare Tactic”, like the Martial Law Scare tactic the Feudal Oligarchs use !
ISIS and terrorism are more of the real problems for America. Terrorists will always target America, because, America itself created these problems…