ferdinand marcos

Bam on SC decision allowing Marcos’ burial in LNMB

We are gravely disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to bury a corrupt and ruthless dictator in the LNMB.

Though we must respect the outcome, my heart goes out to the thousands of victims during the darkest years in Philippine history.

We will carry on our work with the Department of Education to ensure that the truth about martial law is effectively taught in our schools.

With this decision, we need to be even more vigilant that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. Never again.

Bam set to probe status of Martial Law education in schools

Senator Bam Aquino has filed a resolution calling for an inquiry to determine the status of education on Martial Law in basic and tertiary education.

“Sa dami ng maling impormasyon na kumakalat sa Internet, kailangan nating malaman kung paano tinuturo ang Martial Law sa ating kabataan at siguraduhin na ang katotohanan ang nananaig sa ating mga paaralan,” said Sen. Bam in his Senate Resolution No. 29.

 Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress,  stressed that the younger generations must be made aware of the horrors of Martial Law, considered as the darkest years in Philippine history.

“Napansin natin na mukhang nagkaroon na ng pagbabago sa kasaysayan. Ang Martial Law ay sinasabing golden years ng Pilipinas, na malayung-malayo sa katotohanan,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 “Nakakalungkot ang pangyayaring ito dahil tila kinalimutan na ang mga nagsakripisyo ng buhay noong panahon ng diktadurya,” he added.

 According to historical records, 3,257 were killed, while an estimated 35,000 were tortured, and 70,000 incarcerated during the Martial Law rule, which ran from 1972 to 1981.

 Aside from the rampant human rights violation during that time, an estimated $10 billion in government money was stolen, according to Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) records.

Bam: Fight Twisting of Truth About Martial Law

Senator Bam Aquino urged Filipinos to continue retelling the stories of Martial Law, saying “the sacrifices, atrocities and heroism during the darkest years in our country’s history should not be forgotten and must be imparted to today’s generation”.

“Hindi dapat ibaon sa limot ang madilim na bahagi ng ating kasaysayan kung saan maraming buhay ang nasakripisyo at maraming karapatan ang niyurakan,” said Sen. Bam as the country commemorated the 43rd anniversary of Martial Law yesterday (Monday).

 During the Martial Law years from 1972 to 1981, thousands of people opposed to the Marcos government were either killed, tortured or went missing.

 Aside from that, Sen. Bam said the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) estimated that the country’s coffers lost around $10 billion during Marcos’ reign.

Sen. Bam expressed concern as there are efforts to distort the truth, especially in social media and on the Internet, to make it appear that the Philippines had its best years during the Marcos administration.

“For those who remember Martial Law, it is our responsibility to impart the truth to the next generation to create awareness among our youth on what really happened during that time,” said Sen. Bam, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth.

The senator also called on the youth to not be easily swayed and misled by stories being disseminated online, saying they must examine their veracity and truthfulness.

“Maging masinop sa pagsisinsin ng mga lumalabas sa Internet, halukayin ang mga kuwento at huwag basta maniwala,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam’s uncle, Ninoy Aquino, was among those arrested, imprisoned and tortured during the Martial Law. Ninoy was tagged as Prisoner No. 1 as he was arrested moments after Martial Law was declared.

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