Period, No Erase
by Casandra A. Peñaverde
Mr. Ferdinand Marcos Sr., becomes Mr. He-Who-Must-Not-Be- Named in a Department of Education (DepEd) memorandum to change ‘Diktadurang Marcos’ to just ‘Diktadura’ in Grade 6 Araling Panlipunan textbooks under the proposed MATATAG Curriculum on Sept. 6, 2023. Violating a 2013 law or the Republic Act 10368, Human Rights Violations During The Marcos Regime, seems to not be a problem when the officials hold power and executive capabilities on a leash.
It is time to break off the chain, and let them see whose bark should echo.
DENYING HISTORICAL REVISIONISM
In an ANC interview, Jocelyn Andaya of DepEd justified the institution’s move by “recognizing” different political assertions and recommendations all in the name of bettering the curriculum for the studentry. Thus, in the said curriculum, the compound term “Diktadurang Marcos” can only be found twice, making Marcos subtly lose accountability history textbooks- wise.
The removal of the late dictator’s surname is only to follow the thematic categorization of the different administrations, DepEd claimed. Furthermore, Andaya emphasized that educators can freely use ‘Diktadurang Marcos’ in classroom discussions to trigger critical thinking amongst pupils. As if Marcos was just a loosely used adjective, and not an important component on how the Dictatorship affected the country.
Andaya of DepEd firmly insisted that it will be ‘common sense’ to understand that “Diktadura” will always refer to the Marcos regime. Reality check: how will Grade 6 pupils assume sentido común DepEd is expecting from them?
NO TO HISTORICAL DISTORTION
Closing your eyes is as cruel as silencing the voices of the survivors of oppression.
Loretta “Etta” Rosales shared her disgust on how the education department is outplaying the historical revisionism in a radio interview last September 10. Rosales dubbed it as complete nonsense and added: “You don’t distort truth that takes place in history.”
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and the Congress of Teachers/ Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND) denounced the action taken by the DepEd in separate criticism statements. Despite expressing their disappointments over this small yet impactful change, experts, survivors, and masses find themselves with nowhere to go and voice their clamors.
The mere attempt to reduce Marcos’ sins in separating him from the word dictator is an outright disrespect to the democracy we fought for. Vladimer Quetua of ACT described DepEd’s action as a “disservice” to the 70,000 imprisoned, 34,000 tortured, and 3,200 killed in Marcos’ now glorified Martial Law.
Even with these remarks, DepEd remains its upright posture, just how its secretary of education would like them to obey her, and just simply follow: pasok sa isang tainga, labas sa kabila.
‘HOGWASH’ WHITEWASHING
Marcos Jr. constantly reminded us of his reasons of running for the office: to clear his family. For instance, he suggested possible tweaks in the content of educational materials — yet, the president was stern in debunking ‘rewriting-the-history’ speculations and the suggested ‘tweaks’ were meant for the betterment of used curricula.
“If you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk”, a famous proverb regarding accountability says. Hence, Marcos Jr.’s talk does not translate into his actions; PBBM fully expressed his support for the MATATAG Curriculum, which includes the discrepancy of removing Marcos from the term ‘Marcos Dictatorship.’
Just how the Martial Law survivor described DepEd’s move as nonsense, this attempt to whitewash history is pure hogwash — serving personal interests, never for the people.
ATROCITIES ALWAYS REMEMBERED
The dictatorship will always be equated to Marcos’ atrocities and it will always be remembered by the Filipinos. Whatever distortion, attempt of misinformation, and revision of history — Marcos and Dictatorship are not separated. It is Marcos Dictatorship, Diktadurang Marcos, not just Diktadura. Period. No Erase.
