Denise Aleia S.

Regoso
KAS 1 WFV1

Rejecting Historical Distortion: The Ineligibility of Ferdinand Marcos to Rest in the

Heroes' Cemetery and How His Lies Influenced Modern Judgement
The “valor service” of former President Ferdinand Marcos is evidently built on lies; he is,
as Colonel Manriquez says, a fraud and an impostor. It is ironic how Duterte proposed that
Marcos should be buried in a sacred resting place—built for heroes, brave soldiers who fought
and lived for this nation—when he attested with a claim that is historically inaccurate.
Truthfully, this is the first time I have had the opportunity to explore this part of Philippine
history in depth and detail; it is absurd—all of it is. How did we come to the point wherein we
placed the future of this country in the hands of a person who can easily deceive millions of
people by altering the truth with intentions for a good political reputation? Historical distortion is
an utmost violation against the ethical dimension of historical interpretation because it twists the
judgment of the current generation in regards to recorded past events—especially their
perception towards involved people. Surprisingly enough, cases of historical distortion are quite
common; it is terrible, but it is reality. However, the propaganda of Marcos Sr. is beyond
extreme; I believe this is the reason why he has become the face of historical distortion when the
topic comes to light.
History is merely a fragment of a larger picture; it digests down from the past to the
historical account society chooses to believe in. However, critical controversies prove the
necessity for people to build the ability in discerning what is truly factual or a fabrication.
Historical distortion inevitably poses countless threats to the public. With that, the importance of
preserving historical truth cannot be overstated in a nation marked by a complex tapestry of
colonial history, struggles for independence, and social upheaval. Understanding the ethics
behind the impact of history on society would allow us to impose questions such as;

 What is the right and wrong renditions of history? Why is the case of Marcos a
manifestation of political ignominy as well as his ill intentions?
 How must we establish a society in unity when the importance of ethics in historical
interpretation is not only disregarded, but left unaddressed?
 How will the youth perceive the consequences of what has been done and what has
been immorally revised?
In essence, the topic can correlate with this historical thinking skill due to its disreputable
nature. According to a discussion entry of the UP Third World Studies Center (2021), from his
early political career to his declaration of Martial Law in 1972, Marcos consistently manipulated
the truth to serve his personal interests. Despite his supporters' attempts to portray him as a hero,
the truth about Marcos' regime reveals a legacy stained by corruption, human rights abuses, and
subterfuge. These are definitely not traits of a hero—and perhaps, this is a conclusion I came to
because of the grasp for morality that was brought about from the history we have been
continuously learning from.
 For further context, all his assertions were turned down due to the absence of evidence.
On the authority of the material published by the National Historical Commission of the
Philippines (2016), authorized—note, sanctioned under his approval— biographies of Mr.
Marcos portray him as "the most decorated and valor-cited warrior in his nation's history" with
a total of 27 medals such as the following major U.S. Medals: Distinguished Service Cross, the
Silver Star, and the Order of the Purple Heart—which was later established otherwise as he had
claimed. By his own efforts, Marcos Sr. had written the file pertaining to his "existing" guerrilla
unit, Ang Mga Maharlika; yet again, this unit of his had absolutely no recognition received from
higher headquarters while the supposed members listed as a part of this group belonged to
official guerrilla organizations; neither his leadership over this unit nor did the unit itself ever
exist. In general, biographies should not and never be considered official historical records—or
even primary sources of information—because they can display what one wants to show people
—as Marcos exemplifies. In lieu of authenticity, he had used his political platform to project an
image that he is, indeed, a hero.
At the heart of immoral historical revisionism lies a disregard for truth and an erosion of
collective memory. In the Philippines, where the scars of colonization, dictatorship, and social
injustice run deep, rewriting history undermines the integrity of national identity and perpetuates
ignorance. Historical revisionism threatens efforts to seek justice for past injustices and
atrocities. The Philippines has endured periods of authoritarian rule, marked by widespread
exploitation and suppression of dissent. Denying or whitewashing these realities eternizes
impunity. Ferdinand Marcos' burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani would not only be a
historical distortion but also an affront to the memory of those who suffered under his regime
and undermine the sanctity of the cemetery dedicated to true heroes.
Ethically, honoring Marcos in such a manner would not only validate his deceit but also
betray the principles of honesty and accountability that should underpin historical remembrance.
For Duterte to downplay and justify such a transgression with false aversions of leadership and
service is outright mockery. I am disappointed that this was ever a proposed notion. A personal
takeaway is that it should be a reminder; the truth may always be history, but it does not
necessarily mean that history is the truth—that we must not allow ourselves to be victims of
fraudulence because history per se is capable of shaping societies; it influences one’s way of
thinking and, perhaps, one’s personal belief. By contorting narratives, revisionism threatens the
very foundations of democracy and impedes progress toward a more just and equitable society.
Thus, denying Marcos burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani is not only a matter of correcting
historical inaccuracies but also upholding ethical standards of truthfulness and respect for
genuine heroism. As Filipinos, it is our collective responsibility to safeguard the truth of our
antecedents and live by the legitimate account of Philippine history.
 National Historical Commission of the Philippines. (2016). WHY FERDINAND E. MARCOS SHOULD NOT BE
BURIED AT THE LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI. In The Martial Law Chronicles Project.
https://www.martiallawchroniclesproject.com/ferdinand-marcos-libingan-ng-mga-bayani/
 [Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation]. (2021). The “Marcos Truths” | Reyes & Ariate [Video]. Marcos
Regime Research. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LwmxrVguAo
 The “Marcos Truths”: A genealogy of historical distortions – Diktadura – the Marcos Regime research. (2022,
September 20). https://diktadura.upd.edu.ph/2022/09/20/the-marcos-truths/