FREEDOM FIGHTER - Salvador Doy Laurel When Marcos declared martial law, Doy was in the United States. He was saddened to know that his childhood friend, Benigno Aquino, Jr. was incarcerated and that arrests were going on everyday. He consulted his professors in Yale regarding the legal aspect of martial law. Doy returned to Manila on December 10, 197. Undersecretary Manny Salientes who met him at the airport informed him that President Marcos wished to see him as soon as possible. Doy went to Malacanang the following day. President Marcos greeted him cordially addressing him as “brod” since they both belonged to the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity of U.P. “Let me get to the point, Brod” the President said, “Please don’t rock the boat. I cannot turn back anymore. I have burned my bridges.” Doy replied, “Mr. President, I have learned that martial law is a double-bladed weapon. It can be used to cut for good or for evil. Use ut only for good, Mr. President, and you don’t have to worry about me.” During the dark days of martial law, Marcos’ power was absolute. No one dared to oppose him. Those who could have were either jailed or dead or had sought asylum abroad and from that safe and comfortable distance – chose to be silent. But not Doy. He went forth risking his life and his fiery speeches he exhorted the people not to be afraid to come out from the dark and join him in the fight to restore democracy. Believing that “courage is contagious” he went to every part of the country where he could gather crowd. At times, armed with only a bullhorn and emergency lights in case of intentional “power failure” and standing on whatever platform was available he would speak – his booming voice reaching out to the people with his impassioned entreaty for them to pledge with him “eternal hostility against all forms of oppression and tyranny in our country.” In no time the people came out of the shadow and joined the ranks of the brave opposition. Though his charismatic leadership he succeeded in organizing the UNIDO (The United Nationalist Democratic Organization), drawing within its ambit, courageous leaders like Cesar Climaco, Soc Rodrigo, Gerry Roxas, Dominador Aytona, Eve Estrada Kalaw, Rene Espina, Mamintal Tamano, Domocao Alonto and his nephew Abul Khayr, Raul Gonzalez, Homobono Adaza and Abe Sarmiento and all significant political parties who were opposed to the dictatorship. The UNIDO was the political party that ended the dictatorship. Salvador H. Laurel 10th Vice President of the Philippines In office:February 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992 President Corazon Aquino Preceded by Arturo Tolentino Succeeded by Joseph Estrada 5th Prime Minister of the Philippines In office: February 25, 1986 – March 25, 1986 President Corazon Aquino Preceded by Cesar Virata Succeeded by Position abolished Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines In office: March 25, 1986 – February 2, 1987 President Corazon Aquino Preceded by Pacifico Castro (Acting) Succeeded by Manuel Yan Member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa from Region IV-A In office: June 12, 1978 – June 5, 1984 Senator of the Philippines In office: December 30, 1967 – September 23, 1972[1] Personal details: Born Salvador Roman Hidalgo Laurel November 18, 1928 Paco, Manila, Philippines Died January 27, 2004 (aged 75) Atherton, California, United States Political party Nacionalista Party Other political affiliations UNIDO (1984–1989) Spouse Celia Diaz (1950–2004) (his death) Alma mater University of the Philippines College of Law Yale University
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 00:19:30 +0000