Senator Imee Marcos called for a press conference in San Juan on September 21 to commemorate the 50th year of the declaration of martial law. The event was attended by former senators Kit Tatad, Gregorio Honosan and Juan Ponce Enrile, who now acts as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s chief legal adviser, and other former military and policemen who were key players in the declaration of martial law.
Dubbed “Singkwenta’t Singkwentong Martial Law,” the program was hosted by director Daryl Yap who announced that he’s working on a sequel to Maid in Malacanang. He added that the event also serves as part of the research process he’s doing for the film with working title Martyr or Murderer to unspool in cinemas in February next year.
Senator Marcos recalled how her father explained to her why martial law had to be imposed in the country.
“I was still young when I first heard of Martial Law. My father said na ang pinakatanyag na gumamit nito ay yung president ng Amerika, Abraham Lincoln,” the senator recalled during the press conference.
Senator Marcos further said that martial law had a purpose noting that it was also implemented in other countries and territories.
“May gamit ang martial law at yan ay ginamit ilang beses na sa Amerika man at sa ibang bansa. ‘Yan ang paliwanag ng ama ko noong maliit pa ako kaya’t sine-share ko lang po,” Senator Marcos said.
The event concluded with the senator giving out bracelets that symbolize unity.
“Meron po ako sa aking puso na nagnanais makawala mula na sa matagal na panahon. Sino ako para posasan ang mga nagkamali? Gayong ako at ang aking pamilya ay hindi naman perpekto. Sino ako kundi isa lang ring Pilipino laging nangangarap ng katiwasayan,” Senator Marcos ended proposing to grant total amnesty for both leftists and rightists who opposed her father’s decision to implement martial law.