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Wednesday, October 18, 1972

The Independent-Progressives had lunch at the home of Totoy Nepomuceno. Present, in addition to Totoy and myself, were Joe Feria, Naning Kalaw, Bobbit Sanchez and Fr. Ortiz.

Totoy told us about his meeting with Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos, whose wife is a friend of Totoy’s wife. He said he went to Camp Crame primarily to find out whether our little group of Independents who have survived—the remnants—can still meet just like the majority in the Convention. He was assured by Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos that we can.

Totoy immediately added that the assurances of Lieutenant General Ramos sometimes may not be enough because, in the case of Pepe Calderon, the daughter was personally assured by Johnny Ponce Enrile that Pepe was not going to be taken. But then a raid of his house was conducted, just the same. Luckily, the daughter was able to get Secretary Enrile by phone. Enrile ordered the military then and there to lay off Calderon on his (Enrile’s) guarantee.

Totoy continued that it was suggested several times by Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos that some lines of communication be made with President Marcos so that we may know whereof we stand. It is quite difficult, according to Totoy, for the Independent-Progressives to meet and know what their duties are under the circumstances. However, Ramos had said, “Why don’t you get President Macapagal to have an understanding with President Marcos? In fact, on the day of the proclamation of martial law, President Macapagal was with President Marcos.”

Totoy countered that for all purposes, there is no more effective leadership on the part of President Macapagal.

We discussed again the pros and cons of the transitory provision. Joe Feria was somewhat inclined to vote “No,” Bobbit Sanchez to vote ‘Yes” and Naning Kalaw to vote “Yes.” These were tentative inclinations.

After some time, Totoy told me that instead of meeting on Friday, we might as well meet again tomorrow, Thursday. People like Marcelo (Celing) Fernan have suggested that we should meet already tomorrow noon because the transitory provision might be taken up in the afternoon.

As I was by the door, Sedfrey told me that Macapagal had told him that the transitory provision was going to be taken up that same afternoon. I could hardly believe this. I went to President Macapagal to ask him myself. Macapagal said that the majority was insisting on it. I told him our bloc was planning on meeting tomorrow, so why could we not do the voting tomorrow?

Macapagal was understanding. Actually, I feel his instincts are on the right side. “I suppose this is possible,” he said. “We can lengthen the discussion now and postpone the voting tomorrow.”

I ended up going to the Goethe Institute although it was already 6:00 o’clock in the evening. I wanted to find out how the course in German is going. I decided to enroll for the remainder of the course. This is one way of forgetting the problems of my sad world in the Con-Con.

Escapism is resorted to not only by fools!