WORLD : Filipino Justices Uphold Marcos Bar

MANILA —  The Philippine Supreme Court today narrowly upheld a government decision barring former President Ferdinand E. Marcos from returning to the Philippines.

It voted 8 to 7 to dismiss a petition by the deposed ruler seeking to return home.

“(President Corazon Aquino) did not act arbitrarily or with grave abuse of discretion in determining that the return of Marcos and his family . . . poses a serious threat to national interest and welfare,” the court said.

Marcos, 72, overthrown in February, 1986, and now in critical condition in a Honolulu hospital, has repeatedly asked Aquino to let him come home to die. Aquino has barred his return, dead or alive, for security reasons.