Senator Imee Marcos, eldest daughter of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., has floated the idea of the administration extending total amnesty to both leftists and rightists that have played key roles during the martial law regime.
"At tulad ng sinabi at ginawa ng aking ama, simulan na rin natin ang usapin ng pagpapatawad ng pamahalaan (Just what by father said and did, we should start discussing the grant of amnesty by the administration)," Marcos said in a statement.
"Ngayon na ang panahon – umpisahan na ang Total Amnesty ng kaliwa man at pati na rin ng kanang hanay ng mga nagkudeta at iba pa (Now is the time to start discussing ‘total amnesty’ to both leftists and rightists who had a hand in a coup ’etat, and others)," she added.
What is amnesty and who shall entitle to grant amnesty?
Amnesty, in criminal law, is the sovereign act of oblivion or forgetfulness (from Greek ‘amnesia’) for past acts, grants by a government to persons who have been guilty of crimes. It is often conditional upon their return to obedience and duty within a prescribed period.
"Pagkat ang pagpapatawad ang umpisa ng pagkakaisa (Forgiving is the start of unity). Unawain natin ang isa’t-isa pagkat sa puno’t dulo bawat isa sa atin ay Pilipino at Pilipino lamang (We should understand one another because after all, we are all Filipinos)," she pointed out.
"Kaya’t magbibigay ako ng bracelet, hindi posas, mula kay Manang Imee – ito ay tanda ng pagiging Super Ate ko sa inyo at sa inyong pamilya (That is why I am giving away bracelets, not handcuffs...from sister Imee ...as a sign of my being an elder sister .. to you and your families). Bilang panganay na anak ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Super Ate ng Presidente ngayon na si President Bongbong (Being the eldest child of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr, and elder sister of (my brother) President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.)," she added.
The lady senator said she has kept the pain in her heart like the name of "Marcos."
"Matagal nang pilit sinisira ang salitang Martial Law, na para bang walang mabuti o may katuturan na nagawa para sa Pilipinas (They continue to destroy the word ‘Martial Law’ as it it had done nothing good for the country),’’ she added.
During a press conference yesterday where there were those who spoke on the September 21, 1972 declaration of martial law, Imee said that they have now become witness to the truth that was closed or hidden by ambition and political malice.
The former governor of Ilocos Norte emphasised that today is not the time to recall the past experienced by the country.
"At dahil ang boses ng mamamayan ay tinig ng Panginoon, ang pagkaluklok sa aking kapatid ay ang pinakamalinaw na hatol ng bayan na ang Martial Law, na tanging ibinabato sa pamumuno ng aking ama, ay hindi alintana ng mga Pilipino (Because the voices of our citizens is the voice of God, the presidency of my brother is a true testament to the judgment of the country on the’’Martial Law’’ regime)," she added.
Marcos said what the country wants is progress and development but those could only be attained if there is peace.
"At ang inyong mga nais ay kagustuhan rin ng bawat lingkod-bayan na nasa inyong harapan," she stressed.
''Sino ako? Para posasan ang mga nagkamali, gayong ako at ang aking pamilya ay hindi naman perpekto (Who am I to be handcuffed by those who were wrong as I and my family are not perfect). Sino ako, kundi isa ring Pilipino na laging nangangarap ng katiwasayan, pagkakabuo, at paghahawak-kamay — mga kamay na humahawak sa dibdib tuwing nagpupugay sa ating Watawat, sumasaludo sa kagitingan, at nakikipag-kamay sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino (Who am I but a Filipino too who constantly dreams of peace, unity and, with hands on the breast, salute the flag and to the brave and shake the hands of my fellow Filipinos),’’ the senator said.