‘Black Friday’ protest gets mixed reactions from former First Lady’s hometown

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 25 (PNA) -– As thousands of Filipinos troop to the streets for the “Black Friday” protest against the burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, residents in this city, the bailiwick of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, have expressed mixed reaction to the issue.

“Frankly, if I were to say my opinion, Marcos can be buried anywhere, but his family is expected his wishes in his will to come true so let us respect it,” said Bernadita Valenzuela, the information officer of the local government ruled for decades by the Romualdez clan.

The city’s current chief executive, former actress Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, is the wife of former Mayor Alfred Romualdez, who led the city from 2007 to mid-2016.

Alfred’s father, Alfredo, Imelda Marcos’ younger brother, ruled the city from 1998 to 2007.

Valenzuela lauded the accomplishments of the late strongman. “His achievements outnumbered whatever abuses may have been committed in his name. It is not true that all Filipinos hate him.”

Valenzuela, who is now 87 years old, believes that the Marcos regime was the “best days of the country”, citing achievements in infrastructure development, safeguarding the country against communism and international diplomacy.

“It’s about time that we put a closure to these political differences and put our concentration to help our republic become progressive, safer and a better place to live in, but we cannot do that if Filipinos are divided,” she said.

In contrast, communication student Hannah Eder, 19, also from Tacloban, argued that the late strongman does not deserve a hero's burial considering the facts of martial law.

“Many Filipinos were killed during the martial law and justice was not served now that he was buried there,” she said.

“As a youth, I am affected with the Marcos burial at the heroes’ cemetery because children will have a different perception of what a real hero is,” Eder added.

Marcos was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) last Nov. 18 after the Supreme Court dismissed the petition against the burial.

On Friday, thousands of protesters joined the nationwide “Black Friday” protest against the private burial at the LNMB.

Marcos died in exile in Hawaii more than two decades ago, but his remains were brought back and kept under a glass at the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Ilocos Norte, his home province. LAP/SQM/Ana Rose D. Cinco (OJT)