The Philippine Government will not spend on the burial of Former President Ferdinand Marcos, a senior cabinet official said.
"No. The government will only spend on the honors [that will be given.] There will be no money out, like the transportation of the cadaver, it's theirs," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told the Manila Standard when asked in a chance interview.
The Supreme Court (SC) had earlier issued a status quo ante order (SQA) for the deferment of the hero's burial for the late President, whose remains will be transferred from Batac, Ilocos Norte to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
The status quo order, which has a prescribed period of 20 days, prevents Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) among others, from continuing the preparations for Marcos burial.
Lorenzana said, because of the High Court's order, talks between government and the Marcos family were halted.
"[The government] had initial talks when I gave a directive. There have been talks already for three times, but was stalled because of the SQA.”
The Defense chief said, government will respect the high court's decision.