Image from Manny Pacquiao’s Facebook page - Senator Manny Pacquiao urges Marcos’ critics to forgive the late strongman
- He argued that Marcos’ election as president came first before the declaration on Martial Law
- Pacquiao also believes Marcos being a former president is a qualification enough for him to deserve a hero’s burial
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Manny Pacquiao came to the defense of President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to allow a hero’s burial for the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
In explaining his side, Pacquaio said the people should not forget Marcos’ accomplishments during his two-decade rule and must now forgive the late president for the alleged abuses he committed during the Martial Law regime.
“In-elect siya ng tao. Doon pa lang, naging presidente siya, so doon pa lang huwag natin kalimutan ang nagawa niya sa ating bayan, sa ating bansa, iyong mga na-accomplish niya during his term,” Pacquiao told reporters on Monday.
[He was elected by the people. He became president, and just for that, let us not forget what he did for the country, his accomplishments during his term.]
The neophyte senator said that while the alleged abuses and injustices the former dictator committed during Martial Law should be considered, it remains a fact that Marcos’ election as president came first before the declaration of Martial Law.
“Kinokonsidera naman natin iyon pero saan ang mas nauna, pagka-elect niya as president o Martial Law? o ‘di ba? Mas nauna pagka-elect niya as president,” he noted.
[We are considering that, but which came first, his election as president or Martial law, right? His election as president came first.]
Quoting from the Bible, the boxer-politician also urges the people to forgive Marcos so the nation can start moving on. He said his being a president should count and that’s what is more important.
On Marcos’ alleged fake claim that he is a war hero, Pacquiao declined to make any comment, but stressed that the former was elected by the people and did not force himself to the people to become president.
He added that Marcos being a former leader is a qualification enough for him to deserve a hero’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
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