6:40 PM
Before going on the
cruise for Pres. [Robert] McNamara
of the World Bank
For the last several days I have been overwhelmed by a sense of frustration because of the implications of the senatorial elections.
While the emotional issue of Plaza Miranda and the bombing was something that would catch the imagination of the people, we underestimated the capability of the media to spread it all the way down to the barrios.
And the results indicate that the people still do not have the wisdom and the discrimination required for a truly democratic republic.
For the demagogues and the simpletons were elected instead of the highly qualified.
So the consequences may be dangerous.
I now fear for our Republic.
Woke up at 7:30 AM to make a few important decisions on:
- The Kuala Lumpur Ministerial Meeting
- RCA [Rice and Corn Administration] reorganization—I have fired USec. [Jose] Drilon as Gen. Manager
- The Self-Reliant Defense Posture
No Official Gazette entry for this day.
4. An Administration daily newspaper to be run by the Press Office. This will be different from the Government Report.
Interview by Johnny Gatbonton for The Asean the whole morning.
He has been worried that the Americans were setting me up like a Ngo Dinh Diem for liquidation as an oppressive tyrant by an armed forces supported coup de état [sic] with the CIA [Central Intelligence Agency] behind it.
But I assured him that we were in tight control of the Armed Forces.
Mass at 4:00 PM at 4:30-6:10 PM. We board the 777 at 7:00 PM.