Why Marcos is Not a Hero Who Deserves to be Buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

What does it take to be called a ‘hero’? Are national public servants instantly
considered as one? In the Republic of the Philippines, national heroes are given the
privilege to be buried at the National Heroes’ Cemetery or Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).
Among the heroes who can be rightfully buried at the said burial ground are national
artists, Filipino presidents, and even soldiers who fought for the motherland. As society
perceives, a hero is someone who is admired and respected for his notable qualities,
including the traits of having courage and empathy. Therefore, these qualities must be
embodied by servant leaders who aim to make their country prosper. Unfortunately,
several public servants take advantage of this privilege and even abuse their power to
dictate their people’s choices, just like the labeled corrupt dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. was a lawyer, jurist, and politician who served as
the 10th President of the Philippines. Marcos was infamous for declaring the Philippine
Martial Law which led to multiple killings and human rights abuse. After about 20 years of
presidency, the martial law dictator was ousted in 1986. Filipinos protested against the
Marcos administration which led Marcos to fly out of the country and have Corazon Aquino
elected as the 11th President of the Philippines. Ferdinand Marcos died of cardiac arrest in
1989 and was prohibited from having his remains returned to the Philippines. When
another president was in power, Marcos’ remains were allowed to finally return, which
awaken the debate on whether to have him buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani or not.
And as Filipinos who stand with the victims of Martial Law and against the Marcos
administration, we oppose to the burial of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga
Bayani for three main reasons.