Netizens are up in arms after former first daughter and Ilocos Norte governor Imee Marcos called her father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, a “hero” on Twitter yesterday, in celebration of Father’s Day.
Marcos’ greeting reads: “May [sic] Dad is my hero. Happy Father’s Day to all!”
May Dad is my hero. Happy Father’s Day to all!
— Imee Marcos (@ManangImee) June 17, 2018
This did not sit well with some people who are aware of the reportedly thousands killed during martial law under President Marcos from 1972 — 1986.
The Marcoses also allegedly plundered during the years when they were in power.
The country’s Supreme Court already forfeited to the Philippine government US$658 million (approx. PHP35 billion) in Swiss deposit accounts that were allegedly created by President Marcos and former First Lady Imelda Marcos, US$3 million (approx. PHP160 million) in assets and funds, and a jewelry collection worth more than US$100,000 (approx. PHP5.3 million).
User @itsmikerebuyas wrote: “The Marcoses are proof that money can’t really buy intelligence (and class, and dignity, and honesty) really lmao.”
The Marcoses are proof that money can’t really buy intelligence (and class, and dignity, and honesty) talaga lmao
— MICHAEL! (@itsmikerebuyas) June 17, 2018
Alluding to the thousands allegedly killed during Ferdinand’s rule, user @millennialMD said: “Tell that to the thousands of families who don’t celebrate Father’s Day because of your father.”
Sabihin mo yan sa libo libong pamilya na di nagcecelebrate ng father’s day ngayon dahil sa tatay mo
— Millennial Doktora ⚕️ (@MillennialMD) June 17, 2018
User JR Castillo wrote to Imee: “Your dad is a plunderer. Your dad is a thief. Your dad is a murderer. Your dad is not a hero. Your dad was never a hero. Your dad will never be a hero. Your dad is rotting in hell.”
Your dad is a plunderer. Your dad is a thief. Your dad is a murderer. Your dad is not a hero. Your dad was never a hero. Your dad will never be a hero. Your dad is rotting in hell. https://t.co/JpGAX6Ponf
— JR CASTILLO (@JRDCastillo24) June 17, 2018
The country’s ambassador to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr. joined the Twitter conversation and posted: “That he was in World War 2, [yes]. Effort to debunk his [Ferdiand’s] medals failed. Why my dad, a WW2 medaled hero, campaigned for his reelection than the election of Serging Osmeña despite warnings of what your dad might have in mind in his second term. Treason is treason, my dad thought.”
That he was in World War 2. Effort to debunk his medals failed. Why my dad, a WW2 medaled hero, campaigned for his reelection than the election of Serging Osmeña despite warnings of what your dad might have in mind in his second term. Treason is treason, my dad thought.
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 17, 2018
The Marcoses have said that President Marcos is a World War II hero, having led a guerilla force against the Japanese. Such claims have been debunked based on the United States’ army’s investigation, yet his remains were allowed to be buried by the Supreme Court at the Heroes’ Cemetery in 2016, 27 years after he died.
The cemetery is a burial ground for former presidents and soldiers.
The Supreme Court’s controversial decision allowed the burial after the country’s Office of the Solicitor General said that Ferdinand was not just a former president, but also a “retired military veteran and Medal of Valor awardee.”
While President Marcos has his haters, he and the rest of his family who remains influential in Philippine politics have dedicated supporters as well, with many believing that the late dictator did a lot for the country.
Reacting to Imee’s tweet, user @mike1434456 said: “They are very different [from the Aquinos] because [Ferdinand] Marcos has done a lot for the Philippines [in terms of insfrastructure] which we are still using until this day but has [Cory] Aquino done anything? Nothing. They sunk the Philippines, that’s what I know.”
Malayong malayo sila actually dahil si marcos ang daming nagawa sa pinas at hanggang ngayon pinakikinabangan pa natin e si aquino meron ba ? Anu nga ba? Lols wala e pinabagsak lang nila ang pinas yan ang alam ko
— MILKMagic (@mike1434456) June 17, 2018
Imee has not posted a follow-up to her Father’s Day tweet, nor did she address any of her critics.
However, we suggest that she proofread her tweets first before posting to avoid confusion. One user on Reddit Philippines was confused by what she wrote that he said: “Who is ‘May Dad?'”
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