MALACAÑAN PALACE
Manila
11:00 PM
January 27, 1971
Wednesday
There is still an atmosphere of hopeful expectancy for the Democratic Revolution. The greater number of our people are happy about the peaceful turn of events. And there has been a complete turn-about.
Indicative of this is the new attitude of Charlie Palanca, President of Lepanto Mining. In a party, Heny Lopez Jr. was bitterly castigating me and the administration when Charlie Palanca asked him: “Alright, so you do not like Marcos. Who would take his place? And so there is none who could take his place? Then let us quit talking. Let us
work for our country.”
And the manager of ABS-CBN Almeda-Lopez when asked over television why the pro administration calls on the telephone to the show of Radio Patrol and other ABS-CBN programs were not being entertained, had to admit that 80% of the calls were pro-Marcos and that the silent majority is beginning to speak.
I met with the egalitarian intellectuals of the UP tonight, Cesar Majul, Ruben Santos, Bonifacio and Almonte.
They are all enthusiastic about the Democratic Revolution. Now we have to reduce the theory and ideal into practical programs that can be implemented
They have practical suggestions like a check by visitors to government offices in a suggestion slip to be given to either the immediate superior or a group of assessors or lower-ranking Ombudsman.
And reactivation of media to inform the people of what the government is doing.
Then to improve the atmosphere of the lower echelon government officers and employees that are in direct contact with the people. Bonifacio referred to the discourtesy and inattention of the employees of the LTC when he went to that office for the renewal of his driver’s license.
They report that the UP professors are saying the State of the Nation address will bring the people behind the President.
I have called a cabinet meeting next Saturday to receive the plans of the cabinet members to implement the Democratic Revolution.
Although we expect a demonstration on this day as it is the 30th.
The men who spread the story that a revolution would start on January 25 must be very red in the face.
Like Manglapus who had appeared on TV every 30 minutes on Channel 2 in dolorous tones warning: “Stay at home. On Jan. 25th, stay off the streets.”
Father Fritz Araneta, the Father Rector of Ateneo de Manila, was practically disauthorized for his warning through the media to stay away and to expect a revolution. Father de la Costa, Father Cruz, Father Doherty and almost all the Jesuit fathers agreed with Father Doherty who said: “Your announcement was neither scholarly nor Christian.”