Palace on Calls for Marcos-Aquino Reconciliation: It is About Justice

Amid calls from Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. for an end to the long-standing Marcos-Aquino feud, Malacañang said Thursday the issue is not about a family quarrel but about justice for those who suffered human rights abuses during Martial Law, as well as ill-gotten wealth.

“Kung susuriin natin ang mga pahayag ni Pangulong Aquino, hindi siya sang-ayon doon sa proposisyon na ito ay sa pagitan ng pamilya dahil ang kanyang katugunan ay patungkol sa kahalagahan ng pagkamit ng katarungan para sa mga mamamayan. So, ito ay hindi usaping pamilya. Ito ay usapin ng katarungan,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters during a press briefing at the Palace.

When asked to describe the present relationship between the Marcoses and the Aquinos, Secretary Coloma said both families are civil to each another.

“Sa nakikita ko naman ay wala namang personal na alitan o mga usaping namamagitan on a personal level. Marami na tayong nasaksihang mga okasyon na kung saan ay dumalo sa Palasyo sa mga official functions sina Senator Marcos, former First Lady at Representative ngayon Imelda Marcos, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos. Marami namang interaction na hindi naman tayo makakaaninag na may personal na alitan sa pagitan ng mga indibidwal na tinutukoy natin,” he said.

In an interview with radio station dwIZ, Senator Marcos said the two families should get past their issues because the actual feud was between his father, former president Ferdinand Marcos, and President Aquino’s father, former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.

Ninoy Aquino, who was imprisoned when Martial Law was declared, was assassinated in August 1983 upon his return to Manila from a three-year self-imposed exile. His death resulted in the first People Power revolution in 1986 that led to the ouster of Marcos. PND (ag)

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