Philippines' ex-dictator Marcos to get 'hero's burial'

The Philippines' former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, accused of rampant corruption and atrocities against political opponents during his 20-year rule, is set to get a hero's burial after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of it despite much public opposition.


The country's top court on Tuesday voted 9-5 in support of Marcos' body to be buried in the Heroes' Cemetery in the south of Manila.

The Supreme Court threw out opposing petitions filed by activists and victims of human rights abuses, ruling that President Rodrigo Duterte was within his powers to order Marcos be buried in the cemetery.

"The president committed no grave abuse of discretion," the court said, adding that no law prohibited a hero's burial for Marcos.

Marcos' burial in the cemetery has been an issue that divided the nation since his death in 1989, three years after he was ousted from power in a "people power" revolt.

In August, Duterte, saying he was fulfilling a campaign promise, ordered the army to bury Marcos at the cemetery, prompting anti-Marcos groups to seek a ruling from the court.
 [aljazeera.com]
 8/11/16
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