Bongbong attempts to manipulate Aquino on Marcos’ hero burial

A recent news article appeared in The Philippine Star titled: “Bongbong hails P-Noy’s move to let public decide on FM burial.”  Bongbong publicly lauding  President Aquino who supposedly has allowed the public to decide on his father’s hero burial appears to be a subtle  attempt to manipulate and pressure Aquino into allowing a survey to determine this important issue.

What is not subtle is the blatant disrespect on the part of Bongbong for Aquino’s intelligence and strength of character with this sly strategy.  He also maliciously misleads the public  by claiming na pumayag na daw si Aquino na ang publiko ang magiging taga desisyon kung ililibing na  bayani o hindi  ang nasirang diktador.

Ang totoo ay wala namang sinabi si Presidente Aquino na pumayag na siya. Ang hirap talaga dito sa mga Marcos, sanay na sanay na magsinugaling sa mga Pilipino dahil madalas nakakalusot ang kanilang mga kasinugalingan. Kaya lang nga, mabuti na rin  kay PNoy na ipakita agad na hindi siya uto-uto at magpapagago sa mga Marcos at madaling makuha sa kunting himas.  Sabihin niya agad ang totoo:  Hindi  totoo na pumayag siya na ang publiko ang magsasabi kung ililibing na bayani o hindi si Marcos.

And then, he should already  declare to the world  as soon as possible that Marcos is no hero and that he, as President, owes it to the Filipino people—not to allow him to be buried as one—now and for all time. That is, if in fact he is still on the side of what is right.

Many will be disappointed if Aquino betrays his commitment to moral leadership—but surprised? Probably not. So many of our leaders from whom we expected so much have betrayed us in the past like the previous president and others. We will no longer be shocked if  Aquino turns out to be the same.

It is conceivable that rather  than bump heads with the wealthy and the powerful and do what’s right for the people, which is what his father did—and as a result was imprisoned and murdered—he might have just assumed the attitude  that its smarter to accommodate—and  take the money and run.  I just hope for the sake of his soul and the country that this is not the case.

Bongbong appears confident that with the unlimited funding and other resources they utilized in this Libingan campaign, including mercenary journalists and accommodating opportunistic  politicians—they easily were able to manipulate the survey results and would come out winner.

The Star article reported “Marcos said Vice-President Binay has already informed his family of the results of the nationwide consultation and they are anxiously waiting for the report.”

Strange statement.  Binay supposedly already informed the Marcoses of the result and they are still anxious to see the report? Does that mean they don’t trust Binay’s word and that they are still waiting   anxiously  for his written report to confirm that they won?

Or is Bongbong engaged here in mind games? Condition the public’s mind to believe that Aquino had already given his word on this issue  that it will be decided by the public so that if Aquino or Binay later decides that it is to the best interest of the Filipino people  for the late dictator not to be buried as a hero at  Libingan notwithstanding the surveys—the Marcoses and their followers will claim that they reneged on their word. They will then call Aquino and/or Binay as liars and insist on Marcos’ hero burial.

Where does Aquino go from here?

He can’t go wrong if he listens to his conscience, be brave and stick to what is true. The whole world knows Marcos is no hero. Let’s say seven  thousand out of ten thousand respondents in a questionable survey—wants him buried as a hero. No, let’s make that  seven hundred thousand out of a million respondents —and let’s even assume the survey is not questionable – would that convert a lie into truth?

The issue of whether or not a hero’s burial should be given to a tyrant who caused so  much suffering to his people—is essentially a moral issue. It is not a question that a true moral leader abstains from like a Pontius Pilate who knew Jesus to be innocent yet allowed the mindless majority to crucify Him.  This is Aquino’s defining moment.  Will he allow the unthinking majority to crucify our hopes and dreams of a better Philippines?

Note: The California State Bar honors Atty. Ted Laguatan as one of the best lawyers in the US. He is one of only 29 US lawyers officially certified continuously  for more than 20 years as  an Expert Specialist in Immigration Law. He also does accident injuries, wrongful death and complex litigation. For communications (San Francisco area): 455 Hickey Blvd. Ste. 516, Daly City, Ca 94015 tel 650 991 1154 fax 650 991 1186 email [email protected]