“LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR DEAD”

“Let the dead bury their dead” (Luke 9:60; Matt. 8:22)

Finally, The Best and the Brightest among our legal luminaries thus spake and shouted:  in heroes’ graveyard, let the waxed carcass of Ferdinand E. Marcos be buried.  I pity Marcos’ soul wherever it is, it might be that the same is being continuously tormented, knowing that his body would always cause restiveness, be it living or dead.

Yeah, the gang of familiar nine magistrates came to vote as one anew yesterday in favor of Marcos’ burial in the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani.  I’m itching to comment on some of the words of the majority but I already knew long ago that wisdom isn’t justices’ exclusive property.

Therefore, do not underestimate, or worse, be prejudiced about a less fortunate compatriot in Smokey Mountain or ‘basurahan,’ or he whom society considered as beggar or vagrant.  Learn to listen or understand, and you will find that it’s plain truth that everyone, a Supreme Court justice included, is entitled to his own opinion no matter how dumb and ignorant.

Do remember, everybody always has a valid point:  even if the words are twisted and ne’er have a joint.  Same with the justices, they interpret it as a law when they have the winning votes.  Even if, say, their finite minds like ours would turn out to be voting for half-truths.

So don’t you dare question the Supreme Court, “What is thy name (if any)?”  As it might answer you, “My name is Legion:  for we are many.”  Yeah, the Supreme Court as a collegial body is composed of many persons of intellect to create a verdict.  The sad part is, when they too have their lapse in judgment they could think of no way to ameliorate it.

It happened likewise several times that a common layman could not make heads or tails of what they were trying to say.  And worse, he thought they were just writing everything they please, scooping up the words with no attempt at dignity.

That the deprived of learning could not help it but conclude the law is like a tool or a weapon that works only for those who would pick it up and use it at will.  That they couldn’t avoid thinking behind the legal prose and finely crafted argument there’s an air of menace that fancy black robes could not conceal.

But sometimes, like the brave and courageous among us, the Supreme Court got a nerve.  Like, when the likes of the brilliant Atty. Estelito Mendoza argue, it would also reverse itself.

I just hope in this decision about the burial of Marcos side by side with those who did exemplary deeds wouldn’t be a start of another brewing war or citizens’ divisiveness.  For, last I heard, if the heart of the matter remains vague there’s no moving on and complete forgiveness, as there’s no unity and peace where there is no substantial justice.

Whatever, just respect SC’s resolve even if to others they behave like Orcs:  for that is the beauty of democracy, that is simply how the system works.

So what do you think I’d say, Buddy?  Bury the body, but not the memory.