UNITY. Senator Imee Marcos (center), with NPA leaders Ka Eric Almendras and Ka Peter Mutuc pose for photo opportunity during an event and press conference in San Juan City on Wednesday (Sept. 21, 2022) with a theme “Singkwenta’t Singkwentong Martial Law”. (Photo grabbed from Sambayanan Central Luzon FB Page)
MANILA – Senator Imee Marcos is willing to forgive all who have ridiculed her family during the administration of her late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Imee, the elder sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., called on Wednesday, the 50th commemoration of the martial law anniversary, for a "total amnesty" to all former rebels and even those who were involved in the coup d'etat launched against her late father's administration.
"At tulad ng sinabi at ginawa ng aking ama, simulan na rin natin ang usapin ng pagpapatawad ng pamahalaan. Ngayon na ang panahon -- umpisahan na ang (Like what my father said and did, let us start talking about the government which forgives. This is the time -- let us start the) 'total amnesty' ng kaliwa man at pati na rin ng kanang hanay ng mga nagkudeta at iba pa pagka't ang pagpapatawad ang umpisa ng pagkakaisa (of the left, and including the right side who participated in the coup d'etat, among others. Because forgiveness is a start of unity)," the senator said in a press conference in San Juan City.
"Unawain natin ang isa’t-isa pagkat sa puno’t dulo bawat isa sa atin ay Pilipino at Pilipino lamang. Kaya’t magbibigay ako ng (Let us understand each other because the roots of each of us is Filipino and only Filipino. That is why I will give a) bracelet, hindi posas, mula kay Manang Imee -- ito ay tanda ng pagiging 'super ate' ko sa inyo at sa inyong pamilya (not handcuffs, from Manang Imee -- this symbolizes me as you and your family's Super Ate)," she added giving the bracelet to Ka Peter Mutuc, a former leader of the New People's Army (NPA).
The lawmaker added that the election of his younger brother as president is a clear verdict of the people that Martial Law, which has been made as a mockery of their late father, is not what the Filipinos care about.
"Ang gusto ng bayang ito ay kaunlaran, kaunlarang makakamit lamang kung may kapayapaan (What this country wants is progress, progress that can be achieved if there is peace)," Imee said.
Together with Mutuc and the presidential sister, facing the media were Presidential Legal Adviser Juan Ponce-Enrile, former Senators Gringo Honasan, Francisco Tatad, Atty. Larry Gadon, and another former NPA leader Ka Eric Almendras.
She also vowed that the Marcos administration will continue providing financial, health, and livelihood assistance to former rebels. (PNA)
