By Mario Casayuran Despite his negative portrayal in history books as a mere bandit during the American Occupation in the Philippines, Macario Sakay should be recognized as a true Filipino hero, Senator Imee R. Marcos said Saturday. Senator Imee Marcos (Senator Imee Marcos Official Facebook Page / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Marcos cited Sakay as a true patriot, who fought against the colonial governments of Spain and the United States in the early part of the 20th century and was recognized as the first president of the Tagalog Republic. "Sakay’s reputation as a bandit was just part of the black propaganda by American colonial authorities who found it hard to subdue him,’’ she explained. "They maligned one of our heroes! Sakay never was a bandit. He never was a traitor but fought for our freedom against foreign invaders,” she added. Educating the youth about the country’s heroes should not just revolve around the likes of Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Juan Luna, and Marcelo Del Pilar, but also give due attention to the struggle of lesser-known heroes like Sakay, Marcos said. The lady legislator said that History taught in schools should explain the betrayal of Sakay by a fellow Filipino who maneuvered his surrender to American colonial authorities. Sakay was sentenced to death by hanging on Sept. 13, 1907. The Philippines observes on August 26, the National Heroes Day, a national holiday.