Salvador H. Laurel

(November 18, 1928 – January 27, 2004). Lawyer, legislator, Vice-President, 1986-1992. Tasked by his father to write a diary of their escape to Japan, 1945; kept a diary of the Snap Election campaign of 1985-6.

March 21, 1945 Wednesday

March 21, 1945

It is 6:30 p.m. We are ready for the journey. Everyone is tearful. It is very touching. The people we are leaving would have stayed

March 22, 1945 Thursday

March 22, 1945

At 7:25 a.m., the Japanese escort commander signaled us all to stop. The trucks were made to park under the trees and camouflaged with leafy

March 23, 1945 — Friday

March 23, 1945

At 6:55 a.m. the convoy came to a halt. After resting for an hour I went with a Kempeitai to cook rice and boil water

March 24, 1945 — Saturday

March 24, 1945

We had a hard time climbing the steep slope to reach our resting place for the day. We called it: ‘Seventh Heaven.’ It is about

March 27, 1945 — Tuesday

March 27, 1945

We were told that tonight is to be the last leg of our trip. We are going to Tuguegarao. From Tuguegarao, we will leave by

March 30, 1945 — Friday

March 30, 1945

Early this morning, Tuguegarao was bombed and strafed. The P-51 dive-bombers were strafing with terrifying precision. The Americans probably know we are here. The planes

August 15, 1945 Wednesday

August 15, 1945

At 12 noon today, I heard the Japanese national anthem (Kimigayo) played several times. I thought this very unusual. We have been here for three

August 17, 1945 Friday

August 17, 1945

The blackout and curfew are lifted. Papa, looking grave, dictated a letter addressed to General Douglas MacArthur, placing himself at MacArthur’s disposal. He also dictated

June 12, 1985

Today was a whole day affair. More than 25,000 delegates and leaders of UNIDO attended the Nominating Convention at the Araneta Coliseum. They came at

June 14, 1985

I will have to raise funds. Many friends are helping but not enough to support a presidential campaign. Marcos is entrenched –20 years in power.

June 23, 1985

Just arrived from Tokyo-US trip. Opposition in US strong and organized. But they are skeptical about my chances of beating Marcos. They know that the

August 19, 1985

Met with JBL and Neptali Gonzales, Nani Perez, Arthur Defensor re filing of impeachment complaint vs. Marcos. Chances are very slim in the Batasan because

August 21, 1985

Today is Ninoy’s death anniversary. Mass at 9 am and lunch with the UNIDO MPs at the Law Office. Then march from EDSA. Uncle Billy

August 26, 1985

I presented to Cardinal Sin for his viewing the videotapes and photos taken by Orly Mercado of the Marcos properties in US. We are showing

August 28, 1985

Met today with the Cebu MPs led by Celing Fernan, Sonny Osmeña, Tony Cuenco, Inday Nita Daluz, Junie Martinez and Rene Espina. We have solid

September 17, 1985

Lito Banayo, Roger Davis, Raul Contreras and Banz Arrieta are coordinating my PR. Tony Cantero is also helping. Our problem is, as expected, funding. Nap

October 7, 1985

Met with Nanding Campos, Atty. Maranan, Edong Jimenez, Paragua and Loni Bocalan. We are solid in Cavite. Also met Hector Espenilla, Jolly Fernandez and Pablo

October 18, 1985

National Unification Committee representatives (NUC) came to the house this morning to suggest process of selection of common opposition candidate. I told them I am

October 31, 1985

Leaving for Hongkong, L.A., Washington and NY. Will contact close friends to raise campaign funds. Will also maximize US support for opposition cause.

November 11, 1985

Arrived from Tokyo this morning. Spoke before the Manila Rotary Club. During the open forum that followed my speech, a die-hard supporter gave me 17-page

November 12, 1985

I was invited to attend the NUC which I had created as President of UNIDO and I was therefore anxious to find out the truth

November 21, 1985

Soc Rodrigo came at 8 pm this evening to suggest (1) That I pay a call on Celing Muñoz-Palma on her birthday –to smooth out

November 23, 1985

Per advice of Soc, I had a one-on-one with Cory this afternoon. We met at 5 pm at her house in Times St.

December 7, 1985

Early the next morning, I had made up my mind. I went back to Manila and met Cory at my house. I told her I

December 8, 1985

I called a press conference to announce the filing of my candidacy as official UNIDO candidate for the presidency. In my statement I said: “I

December 11, 1985

Cory and I met at the house of my son, David in our Mandaluyong compound. She announced that she had changed her mind. She was

February 13-17, 1986

February 17, 1986

We met with State Department people (Claude Buss and Guy Pauker). Then came Reagan’s special envoy, Philip Habib, on February 17. Speaking for CCA and

February 22, 1986

We were in Cebu when Enrile and Ramos staged their mutiny in Camp Aguinaldo. I addressed the “Doctors for Democracy” and CA talked to the

February 23, 1986

I arrived in Calatagan private airfield of EZ after 2 hrs. and 45 min. flight on single engine private plane hired by Tony Escaño Garcia.

February 24, 1986

CCA arrived at 10 A.M. We met in her sister’s house at Wack Wack (near my house). I told her we must take our oath