Bongbong: People can't move away from 1986

MANILA, Philippines - Much as Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family would like to leave behind the dark period in their lives and move forward with some peace of mind, they believe there would always be something said by their critics to revive old grudges.

The latest issue is related to some of the possessions left behind by the Marcoses, including shoes and clothes now at the National Museum.

It was recently reported that these items were neglected and were in various stages of damage from rains and even termite infestation.

Communications Group Undersecretary Manolo Quezon was quoted as saying recently that most of the collections related to the Marcoses “have no historical significance.”

Asked by reporters about his thoughts on the matter yesterday, the son and namesake of the late strongman could not hide his disappointment over how that 20-year period in Philippine history where his father was the country’s chief executive was being downplayed as insignificant by the current administration.

It does not help that the President is the son of the late former President Corazon Aquino who unseated the elder Marcos, forcing the dictator and his family into exile.

“So that part of our history is not important? I’m just astounded by them dismissing years of our national history as insignificant. Again, we’re back to talking about politics here. These are people who cannot move away from 1986,” Marcos said.

A revolution was staged that year to drive out the Marcoses and Mrs. Aquino was installed as the first female President of the Republic.

“I think that’s what it’s all about, to discount everything that happened. C’mon, the 20 years of my father’s presidency and say that it is not historically significant, that’s already rewriting history,” Marcos said.

“But that’s something that we have been seeing many, many times over the years, unfortunately we have become accustomed to that continuous attempt at rewriting history,” he added.

Marcos said the situation has not changed since 1986 when the various possessions, including the properties and business interests of his family, had been “confiscated.”

While his family had long gotten over the loss of their possessions with the thought that those were all just material things that could easily be replaced, Marcos lamented the confiscation was done without any clear purpose.

“They confiscated them and let them fall to ruin, they were never utilized. They just said it belongs to the government. Nothing happened,” Marcos said.

“It’s just the continuation of that confiscatory policy that followed 1986. Get everything even though you have no intention of utilizing them and for no reason. Anyway, it’s still part of the whole policy that was implemented after ’86,” he added.

The Marcos’ relationship with the Aquinos appeared to be headed towards some form of reconciliation when discussions were initiated about the possible grant of state burial honors for the former president, something that the family has been yearning for since he died in Hawaii in 1989.

However, in spite of a recommendation from a commission led by Vice President Jejomar Binay to grant the wishes of the Marcoses, President Aquino decided against this, saying this would not happen under his watch.