Thursday, 30 June 2011 01:56
Enrile said this measure should put to rest the debate that has long divided the country, and allow the government to focus on more important things such as addressing skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, job generation, expansion of the economy, and battling corruption. Specifically, House Bill 4876 proposes to set aside 25% of the 142-hectare Libingan ng mga Bayani for the development of the Libingan ng mga Pangulo which will serve as burial grounds for former Philippine leaders.
"The revival of the debate over the burial of former President Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani has opened old wounds and divided the country," Enrile said.
"By dealing with this issue now, we will not only provide an appropriate closure to the debate but, more importantly, allow the country to move forward and focus on more pressing issues of the day," he added.
Enrile noted that the proposal to allocate a portion of the Libingan ng mg Bayani to become a burial ground for deceased Presidents is unlikely to face roadblocks, saying Armed Forces Regulations G 161-373 states that deceased Presidents or Commanders-in-Chief of the military, among others, are entitled to be interred at the burial grounds.
The bill also mandates the Philippine Army's Grave Service Unit - which is currently handling the administration and maintenance of the Libingan ng mga Bayani - to perform the same duties for the Libingan ng mga Pangulo.
The lawmaker noted that an old law - Republic Act 298 passed in 1948 which mandated the creation of a five-member Board of National Pantheon for the construction of a National Pantheon for Presidents, National Heroes, and Patriots - would have avoided debates on Marcos burial but it was never implemented.
Source: http://www.congress.gov.ph
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