Marcos mausoleum closed for maintenance work

It seems that preparations are underway for the memorial services for former President Ferdinand Marcos in his hometown of Batac, Ilocos Norte that will be held before the planned interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani next month.

GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo reported on "24 Oras" that workers have been cleaning the mansion of the Marcos family while the mausoleum that houses the remains of the late dictator has been closed to tourists for maintenance.

The Sta. Monica Church is also being prepped. The church is reportedly where the remains of Marcos will lie in state for a few days before it is transferred to Paoay Church and then to Batac Church. The interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Sept. 18.

However, there are groups that still hope that President Rodrigo Duterte will change his mind.

The Coalition Against the Marcos Burial in Libingan ng mga Bayani has scheduled a citizens' assembly in Luneta on August 14 to raise their grievances.

The coalition, composed of Martial Law victims, said they are willing to proceed to the Supreme Court to stop Marcos' heroes burial.

"Para kaming sinaksak at pinilipit mo pa lalo ang kutsilyo. Hindi po healing ang paglibing sa Libingan ng mga Bayani," said Susan Quimpo, of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation.

The group said they can present to the high court the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and cases of human rights violation.

It cited that a law was even passed by the Philippine government recognizing the human rights victims under the MArcos regime, the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act.

GMA News tried to reach former senator and the elder Marcos' namesake, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., but he denied to comment on the issue.

But the younger Marcos' official Twitter account said it is expressing its gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for healing the wounds of the past.

Meanwhile, Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said Duterte is bent on granting Marcos a hero's burial.

Former President Benigno Aquino III, whose family was exiled during the Marcos dictatorship, has yet to issue a statement. But his cousin, Senator Bam Aquino, already said Marcos does not deserve to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

"Kung ikaw, naging isang former president, nagnakaw sa ating bansa, maraming napapatay during your term, maraming nakulong na dapat hindi nakulong, you don't deserve to be in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Hindi ka karapat-dapat doon," the senator said in a statement. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/BAP, GMA News