Are we seeing the closing stages of the decades-long hostility between the Aquinos and the Marcoses?

As far as former Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos, daughter of the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos, is concerned, the animosity between two of the biggest political clans in the Philippines is a thing of the past and is no longer an issue.

For his part, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III reiterated that he has never blamed the children of Marcos for the assassination of his father, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., almost 27 years ago.

“Some say we (Marcoses) are angry. The others are saying the Ilocanos would exact revenge when Noynoy passes by here. That’s too long ago, it’s no longer the trend now,” Imee said in a television interview before Aquino visited the Ilocos Region for a series of campaign sorties the other day.

Aquino, together with running mate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, sister Kris and her husband basketball superstar James Yap, barnstormed the Ilocos and held successful motorcade in Laoag and a rally in Vigan.

Aquino said he was overwhelmed by the warm reception accorded to him by the people of Ilocos (Norte and Sur).

“We can’t ask for more in terms of how they received me. People came out in the streets to greet me. It soothes my feeling even if we are already tired from a hectic barnstorming of three provinces,” an ecstatic Aquino said.

Aquino is confident he can get the support he needs from Ilocos Norte voters after receiving reports that a recent survey in Ilocos Region showed him in second place among the presidential candidates. The survey was conducted by an independent group of academicians based in one of the universities in the region.

The eldest of the Marcos sibling also said the lingering issue between the two families is only an unnecessary burden that could impede any effort to do ones job and progress.

“It’s just a heavy load. How can you lighten up, how can you function well, and how can you progress if you will continue to harbor that kind of feeling,” said Marcos, who is seeking the gubernatorial post of Ilocos Norte in the May 10 elections.

“In my case, I hold no personal grudges,” Aquino, on the other hand, said.

“I think I said it publicly 12 years ago, I do not put any blame on Imee, Irene, or Bongbong. Let us just say that all of us were victims of circumstances during that period,” Aquino said.

The LP presidential bet stressed that his only wish, if at all, is to be able to correct that unfortunate incident when his father was assassinated at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport.

Besides, he said there is a 20-year prescription period for murder, making it hard to determine if it is technically possible to reopen the case.

Aquino also noted that when then Rep. Marcos was one of his colleagues at the House of Representatives, she helped him implement a hybrid rice program for his constituents.

It was Aquino’s first time to set foot in “Marcos territory” here since Marcos, who was ousted by People Power Revolution in 1986, declared martial law in 1972.

Aquino also said he would not interfere in ongoing court cases involving the Marcoses’ alleged ill-gotten wealth.

“Ang request pahintuin, palagay ko hindi naman tama ang pahintuin ang ongoing na sa korte na mga trial. Pabayaan natin ang korte di pwede pakialaman ang magiging desisyon tungkol sa kaso,” he said.