We have Dir. Gen. Wilfred Jenks of the ILO [International Labor Organiztion] as our house guest and we have just come from the dinner we gave in his honor wherein he delivered a long discourse on the problems of Asia a la Gunnar Myrdal.
In 1915 when Pres. [Manuel] Quezon sent Dean Benitez to the ILO in Geneva, he (Jenks) was a senior official who attended to our needs so as to qualify for membership.
[Felipe] Baby Ysmael came to see me with the suggestion that I do not prosecute [Benigno] Ninoy Aquino [Jr.] as Gen. Hans Menzi had suggested. Of course he was asking for help as usual to sell all his property in the Philippines so he can stay in Australia. I told him I could not possibly help him in this.
[Joaquin] Chino Roces and [Eugenio] Heny Lopez [Jr.] refused to come to visit with me in a gathering of the publishers. Heny Lopez says their position has not changed. Chino Roces told Hans Menzi who conveyed my invitation that there was no use in accepting the invitation since I would ask him to do something and he would merely have to refuse me or say yes and not be able to comply.
I had a no holds barred session with about 200 girls from Assumption. The leader a Miss ______ Dizon started out with the statement that they came with their minds made up that they were against the suspension of the privilege of the writ. I was patient with them although I was emphatic in answering the question “you said our country would be great—where is the greatness?” I answered, “The mere fact that you can come here and show interest in what your government is doing is a form of greatness.” Then I had to tell them of the many things they took for granted because they are now a part of our life.
“Let us disagree because apparently your mind is made up but let us not be disagreeable.” I finally ended up when Miss Dizon said they felt they were not getting their message across.
I suggested that she and the others tell me why you think my decision in suspending the privilege of the writ is wrong, “You admit that my exercise of the power is legal and you do not question it. You admit that I am in a better position to know the facts. If you do, then tell me why you think or feel that you are right and I am wrong?” I asked.
They could not answer so I could sense that they were merely against it because of the guidance of some other people—not because of their understanding of the question or their beliefs on the subject.
No Official Gazette entry for this day.