Malacañang has responded to Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s assertion that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was “ungrateful” for what his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, had done for his family.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Marcos had already expressed his gratitude to the elder Duterte for allowing the burial of his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (LNMB) in 2016.

Castro said that while expressing appreciation for past actions was important, it should not interfere with the application of the rule of law and justice, especially the enforcement of legal obligations.

During the 88th Araw ng Dabaw celebration last Sunday, Mayor Duterte recalled that his father allowed the burial of Marcos Sr. at the heroes cemetery, a move that was a contentious issue at the time. He implied this gesture of goodwill should have been reciprocated, that President Marcos should have been more grateful.

Last week, former President Duterte was whisked off to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to President Marcos, Duterte was surrendered by Philippine authorities to Interpol as part of the country’s commitment to international law.

Forever thankful

Castro quoted then senator Marcos Jr., who in 2016 thanked President Duterte for allowing the burial of his father at the LNMB: “We also would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for his unwavering commitment to this issue. Our family will forever be thankful for this kind gesture.”

Castro also noted that the burial of Marcos Sr. was done in accordance with the law, citing Republic Act 289 which allows the burial of former presidents at the LNMB, as well as Presidential Proclamation 208 which established the site as a national shrine.

“The President also thanked the Supreme Court back in 2016 for the ruling that allowed his father to be buried at the Libingan,” she said in Filipino.

She said former President Duterte’s action was in line with these legal provisions, and thus the decision to bury Marcos Sr. at the LNMB was legally sound.