For all my misgivings, I voted for President Marcos in 1969, the first time I ever voted, because I believed that for all his faults, Mr. Marcos stood by the people in World War II while his opponents in that election made money doing business with the enemy.

And so, I am sickened by the discovery that the legendary Maharlika unit is a myth, that in truth, it was just Mr. Marcos and a few dozen cronies, and that the mark they made in history consists of backpay claims that were rejected as fraudulent.

I am even more sickened by the past and present collaboration of many politicians, military men, historians, journalists, and scholars in Mr. Marcos’ wholesale deception of the post-war generations.

MARISSA GUINTO