Militant lawmakers say alliance with Pres. Duterte to remain amid growing criticisms against Marcos’ burial

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 21): Militant lawmakers say alliance with Pres. Duterte to remain amid growing criticisms against Marcos’ burial

Militant lawmakers at the House of Representatives assured on Monday that the alliance with the Duterte administration remains intact amid the controversy surrounding the unannounced burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

In a statement, Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao said the “left” movement recognizes President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s efforts in pursuing an independent foreign policy, resuming peace talks with the National Democratic Front and appointing progressive leaders as Cabinet secretaries.

However, Casilao appealed to President Durterte to stand for democracy and social justice by rehabilitating the victims of atrocities committed during Marcos’ martial law reign.

“We urge the President to stand for democracy and social justice, a step towards these is his fulfillment of his promise to release the more than 500 political prisoners which is an agenda of the peace talks with the NDF, work for genuine land reform, workers' rights and other people’s reform agenda,” Casilao said.

In a separate statement, Gabriela Partylist Reps. Emmi De Jesus and Arlene Brosas also affirmed their cooperation with the current administration, as well as their membership in the majority coalition in the lower chamber.

”Gabriela Women’s Party, as a member of the Makabayan Coalition, is still in support of pro-people and patriotic state programs and pronouncements of President Duterte and specific Cabinet members,” the group said in a statement.

The women’s partylist, however, maintained its disapproval with the hero’s burial granted to the former strongman, which could likely lead to the Marcos’ family’s return to power.
”We reiterate our calls for (President) Duterte to revoke state honors and the burial of the late dictator Marcos,” the group said.

Meanwhile, congressional leaders expressed confidence that the President’s allies will not sever their ties with the administration despite being critical of his directive allowing the Marcos burial at the LNMB.

House Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro said that Duterte’s allies are “wise” enough not to let their differing opinions on the Marcos burial affect their public service to the Filipino people under the Duterte administration.

Similarly, DIWA Partylist Rep. Emmeline Aglipay Villar, chairperson of the House Committee on Women and Gender equality, said Marcos’ critics, who allied with Duterte, were already aware of his plan to bury Marcos at the heroes’ cemetery during the presidential campaign.

”While he (President Duterte) was campaigning, he already stated very clearly to everyone that he will let former President Marcos be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani if he becomes President,” Villar said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=941973