Students from the Far Eastern University (FEU) and De La Salle University (DLSU) denounced the presidential bid of the son and namesake of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Marcos, popularly known as "Bongbong" and more recently as "BBM," filed his candidacy for presidential elections in 2022 on Oct. 6.
In a statement, the FEU Central Student Organization condemned the candidacy of Marcos, stressing that his family still "refused to acknowledge and apologize for all the thousands of human rights violations, blatant theft of public funds, and the oppression of freedom."
"Ang pagluklok sa isa na namang Marcos ay isang malaking insulto sa lahat ng biktima ng Batas Miliar at pagpayag na patuloy na baluktutin ang ating mapait na kasaysayan (Putting another Marcos in power is a great insult to all Martial Law victims and a permit to allow historical revisionism)," the FEU students said.
"Mahalaga ring alalahanin ang naging sakripisyo at papel ng mga aktibista at lider-estudyante nooong panahon ng Batas Militar. Nag-aklas ang mga estudyante ng pamantasan at nakiisa sa iba pang mga Pilipinong ipinaglaban ang karapatang pantao at demokrasya ng Pilipinas (It's also important to remember the sacrifices and roles of activists and student leaders during the Marial Law era. Many students went on strike and joined other Filipinos in fighting for human rights and democracy)," they stressed.
Meanwhile, the University Student Government of DLSU reminded the public that the younger Marcos was "at the forefront of Martial Law, which resulted in tens of thousands of human rights atrocities."
"The Marcos regime imprisoned, tortured, and killed common and prominent activists and dissenters for simply advocating the respect for our fundamental liberties. Among these were Lasallians: Senator Jose "Ka Pepe" Diokno, Immanuel Obispo, Bishop Felix Perez," DLSU USG said.
The group also chided Marcos for continuing to refuse "to recognize the numerous human rights violations that were committed during his father's time" and has "repeatedly engaged in desperate historical revisionism."
The students said allowing the Marcoses to bid for the highest government seats in the country is a "mockery of the sacrifices that were brought by the different sectors that paved the way in restoring the democratic rights and liberties of the masses."
"It is an injustice to the victims of Martial Law and an impudent disregard of the numerous efforts of the people who continue to defend our democracy," DLSU USG said.
"Being aware of the truth that our system tends to serve the interests of the ruling class, it is our responsibility to ensure that the terrors brought about by the dictatorship of Marcos would never again be repeated. Marcos' bid for the presidency is a blatant disrespect to those who have fought for a liberal democracy we are rightfully entitled to -- the very democracy that we fought relentlessly for."
According to Amnesty International, there were 3,257 known extrajudicial killings, 35,000 documented tortures, 77 disappearances, and 70,000 arrests during Martial Law.
The Marcos family has repeatedly denied allegations that it plundered state wealth in power, estimated 1987 at $10 billion.
Marcos served as vice governor of Ilocos Norte in 1981 and served as governor from 1983 to 1986.