As usual the columns of Max [Maximo] Soliven and [Mariano] Querol in Manila Times are raving mad about my book and statements.
And Sen. [Jose] Diokno heads a supposed massive rally of Concerned Citizens tomorrow at Plaza Miranda.
Sen. [Gerardo] Roxas asks me formally to offer the P500,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the killers in the Plaza Miranda rally.
Sen. [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.] says he is willing to sit down with me so that we can talk of solutions to the national problems!
“Speaking of the devil…” He certainly is generous???
He is one of the causes of a grave national problem—communism. After he has armed and funded them, he solicitously comes to me and offers to work out a solution.
All the more reason why I should be firm and resolved.
For our enemies are stronger than we estimated. And as usual the media does not even try to be fair.
I met the generals today. As usual Gen. [Eduardo] Garcia is issuing too many press releases. The cancellation by me of the loyalty day parade has been interpreted to mean so many things other than the wish for a simple birthday celebration.
Imelda is feeling depressed and frustrated. She is in a crying jog. And I am not much help.
This shatters lowers my morale.
The Manila Times columns of Soliven and Querol dripping with sarcasm prove my point about the media. They not only cannot take criticism, meaning they cannot be objective about their faults. They will not treat the book objectively but subjectively.
Official Gazette for September 12, 1971: President Marcos as usual utilized some of his Sunday waking hours disposing of urgent state papers and acting on other state business. Official papers acted upon included those on the grant of executive clemency to 124 more prisoners, on recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Parole. This second batch of pardoned prisoners brought to 315 the total number of prisoners given the traditional executive clemency in connection with the observance of the President’s birth anniversary.