Statement of Former UP Student Regents against the Marcos burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani and historical revisionism
With truth at a juncture, history in danger of blur, there is need to affirm integrity and justice as cornerstones of our democracy.
We, former student regents of the University of the Philippines, at the frontlines of the student movement of our times, refuse to honor Ferdinand Marcos, tryrant and plunderer, as a hero. No matter where he is buried, Marcos cannot avail of swaying politics to gloss over a regime of abuses, atrocities, and corruption. Despite the Supreme Court’s legalistic acquiesence to President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign promise to the Marcoses, notwithstanding outright condoning, whitewashing, and apologism, there must be no historical revisionism.
The legacy of Marcosian thievery, intolerance, and brutality is well-etched into that of the position of UP Student Regent, a seat Ferdinand Marcos kept vacant all throughout Martial Law. It took a generation’s worth of sacrifices and struggles to reinstate democratic institutions and cherished rights in the academe.
With the relentless, unrepentant return of the Marcoses – complicit all – we link arms again. During the bleak days of rampant cronyism and authoritarianism, there too few good men opposed. Not this time.
We will join on the streets the many who stand for truth and accountability for the various sins of Marcos against the people. We echo the call for justice, with recognition and reparation, for thousands of Martial Law victims, especially those disappeared and those denied the dignity of a funeral. We guard against the repeat of the horrors. For so much that cannot be undone, we will never forget. And with hope of redress and genuine healing, we will always remember.
Francis Pangilinan, 1987-1988 Bong Bongolan, 1989-1990 Henry Grageda, 1990-1991 Ariel B. Tanangonan, 1993-1994 Sahlee Cariño-Camposano, 1995-1996 Leo B. Malagar, 1996-1997 Dennis Benjamin M. Longid, 1998-1999 Kristine Clare C. Bugayong, 2001-2002 JPaul Manzanilla, 2002-2003 Marco M. de los Reyes, 2004-2005 Ken Leonard B. Ramos, 2005-06 Raffy Jones G. Sanchez, 2006-2007 Shahana M. Abdulwahid, 2008-2009 Charisse Bernadine I. Bañez, 2009-2010 Cori Alessa C. Co, 2010-2011 Maria Kristina C. Conti, 2011-2012 Cleve Kevin Robert V. Arguelles, 2012-2013 Krista Iris V. Melgarejo, 2013-2014 Neill John G. Macuha, 2014-2015 Miguel Enrico Aguiling Pangalangan, 2015-2016