DepEd: Textbook review to include SC decision on Marcos' burial

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Supreme Court ruling allowing the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani may soon be included in textbooks.

Read: Supreme Court allows burial of Marcos at Heroes' Cemetery

The Department of Education on Monday said it will include the decision in its review of learning materials under the K-12 program "for a fair account of the Marcos regime."

"Meron po tayong team of curriculum experts, nandyan po yung mga tanyag na mga tao sa larangan ng history o kasaysayang ng Pilipinas," Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali said in a phone interview Tuesday.

[Translation: We have a team of curriculum experts, comprised of experts in the field of Philippine history.]

Umali said the agency aims to come up with an objective and factual presentation of events that happened during martial law and the Marcos regime.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said the possible inclusion of the SC ruling in textbooks is not a statement on whether Marcos is a hero or not.

"What we're trying to develop is critical thinking. The student, the learner decides for himself. Bigyan siya ng [Give him] facts, the positive things vis-à-vis the human rights (issue), so that the child, the learner can make a judgement for himself or herself," Briones said in a statement.

A civilian-backed military revolt ousted Marcos in 1986. He died in exile in Hawaii in 1989. His remains were brought back to the country in 1993 and has since been kept in an air-conditioned crypt at the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac, his hometown in Ilocos Norte.

After 27 years, the Supreme Court, by a 9-5 vote on Nov. 8, allowed the former president's burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The Marcos family and supporters rejoiced at the court decision.

Read: Bongbong Marcos: SC decision 'answer to my prayers'

But martial law victims, human rights groups, and some officials including Vice President Leni Robredo, expressed their dismay. For them, Marcos does not deserve to be buried beside other distinguished personalities.

Read: VP, senators disappointed and sad as Supreme Court allows burial in hero's cemetery for Marcos

A victim of human rights abuses during martial law, former Commission of Human Rights chairman Etta Rosales said SC ruling is tantamount to revising Philippine history.

Read: Martial law victims: Marcos burial in heroes cemetery mocks our sacrifices