MANILA: Catholic educators in the Philippines have denounced what they called the "distortion of history" by the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos who is running for vice president in this year's national elections.

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, which is composed of 1,425 Catholic universities and colleges, condemned what it described as an attempt by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "to canonize" his father’s regime.

"With the same fervor, we cry our hearts out, 'Never Again!'" the association said in a statement, adding that Catholic institutions in the Philippines affirm its commitment to teach the truth.

The presidents of five Jesuit-run universities in the country also criticized what they described as the "revision of history" by Marcos Jr.

"We are not blind to the darkness and oppression of the Marcos years," the Jesuit university presidents' said in another statement.

The statement was signed by Jose Ramon Villarin of Ateneo de Manila University; Primitivo Viray of Ateneo de Naga University; Joel Tabora of Ateneo de Davao University; Roberto Yap of Xavier University/Ateneo de Cagayan; Karel San Juan, of Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

The Jesuits and the association both released their statements after Marcos Jr., sought glorify his father's regime in a campaign speech.

Marcos said his father’s 20-year rule represented a "golden age" for the Philippines.

"Let us leave history to the professors, to those who study the history of the Philippines. It is not our [politicians] job. Our job is to look at what the people need at present," Marcos said.

"We deplore the shameless refusal to acknowledge the crimes of the martial law regime," the Jesuit university chiefs said.

"We reject the revision of history, disturbing vision of the future, and shallow call for 'unity' being presented by Marcos Jr. and like-minded candidates in the 2016 elections," they added.

In its own statement, the association said it shares the sentiments of the Jesuit universities.

"We share their sentiment. And, we refuse to forget the atrocities committed by the Marcos regime, and we renew our demand that the perpetrators of these crimes be brought to justice," said the group.

"The fullness of democratization, especially the creation of a social order which respects the dignity of all Filipinos, has yet to be achieved," it added.--ucannews.com