Five days to the referendum-plebiscite and the knaves of the old society are back to blackmailing.
Ex-Sen. Arturo Tolentino whom I appointed co-chairman in the Law of the Sea Convention with ambassadorial rank asked me in a letter to appoint him Presidential assistant with the rank of cabinet member and thus be a member of the Batasan Bayan. I thought it improper to do so because he had simultaneously opined martial law should be lifted in some parts of the country, so I did not answer him. Now he has come out with a statement asking for the replacement of the questions in the postponement of the referendum-plebiscite on the ground they are vague and today opines the dual power of the interim Batasan Pambansa would result in confusion as both the President and the Batasan may legislate on the same subject. Of course he fails to state that we will have a parliamentary form of government in the Batasan which would, therefore, not be able to act on any subject not just approved by the Prime Minister who would presumably have a consistent policy. If the Prime Minister is not in control of the Batasan, he is out as Prime Minister although he could go to the people on an election.
Ex-Sen. Salvador Laurel is equally transparent. He wanted to be head of the economic panel of the negotiation on our trade agreement with the U.S., dreaming of carrying on the tradition of his father after whom the Laurel-Langley agreement was named. But he does not know much economics although he may know a little law. So I could not in conscience appoint him even as a member of the panel as Imelda suggested. Now he has repeatedly spoken on the need to lift martial law, change the questions and seeks to organize opposition in general.
Ex-Congressman Tito Dupaya of Cagayan by the illegal use of my name obtained several million pesos from the premiums of government building insurance which I, of course, immediately stopped. Through Tony [Antonio] Raquiza, he has sent word that he will be in the side of the oppositionists in this referendum-plebiscite (of course the message accompanied by expletives).
Ex-Congressman Ramon Durano and his supporters want his son-in-law Ex Cong. [Emerito] Calderon to be governor of Cebu instead of Gov. [Eduardo] Gullas. But this may return the old politics to Cebu. So I have suspended any action on this. And there are reports the quarrel may prejudice the referendum-plebiscite results.
The Supreme Court by a vote of 8-2 has sustained the validity of the referendumplebiscite.
No Official Gazette entry for this day.
It is unknown where this text comes from, because this entry is missing.