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June 14, 1945 Thursday

New detainees have just arrived from Manila. Their personal news concerning “collaborationists” are very encouraging. But the newspapers they brought did not seem to justify optimism.

The House has also been organized. The following were elected: Speaker, Hon. Jose C. Zulueta; Pro Tempore, Hon. Prospero Sanidad; Floor Leader, Eugenio Perez. These are all intimate friends of ours, and probably we deportees will now be remembered. As a matter of fact, a resolution, I understand, has already been filed, calling for action on our cases. We were informed that it asked for our liberation. We hope there is no politics involved and that our friends will embrace our cause because they are convinced that we are innocent.

The Secretaries are Jose Mendoza for the Senate and Narciso Pimentel for the House. These two friends are veteran public servants and very efficient. The bad news which saddened us were the speeches of Osmeña and Roxas. They were masterpiece speeches but, from our point of view, were dismal failures. Osmeña talked of all the collaborationists except those of our class. Roxas’ speech was an oration that will make history, but it was weak in parts where he referred to our class. We wondered as to what had happened. Really, the speeches were a contrast to the clear, courageous pronouncements which had heartened us in the past. If it was not an appropriate occasion why should they refer to the matter at all? Speculations in the Colony were rife. Some believe that they had received insinuations from the U.S. military authorities; some attribute it to pressure from elements who either dislike us or are afraid of us; others fear that the two men are somewhat changing unfavorably towards us. Personally, I do not believe they have changed; but there are bigger considerations which made mention of our case inadvisable.

Speaker Jose Zulueta should remain silent as his brother, Francisco, is confined with us.