Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David on Monday urged Filipinos to learn from history and never forget the abuses committed during martial law, as the country marked the 54th anniversary of its declaration.

“As we commemorate the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law, I hope we can continue to remember those years with historical honesty, respect for the victims, and a commitment to learning from our past,” David said.

“Remembering history is not about making children answer for the sins of their parents. It is about ensuring that the suffering of previous generations is not rendered meaningless by forgetfulness,” said David, who was a second-year high school student when martial law was declared.

David acknowledged that the return of a Marcos to Malacañang — with the late dictator’s son, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., now in office — is “an extraordinary turn in our country’s history.”

He said Marcos Jr. should be judged by his own actions, but his presidency should not be a reason to forget the history of martial law or dismiss the suffering of those who lived through it.

David said one meaningful way to honor those who fought to restore democracy is to ensure that the constitutional safeguards created after the dictatorship are fully implemented.

He cited the need for Congress to enact an anti-political dynasty law, saying that the 1987 Constitution was shaped by the country’s experience under a dictatorship and it was intended to prevent the excessive concentration and perpetuation of political power.

Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, drawing from his experience as a former military officer, described martial law as one of the darkest periods in Philippine history.