21/10/2025
𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐎𝐘 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐋
by C.D. Bonoan
"It is only a sincere devotion to the nation that gives a leader the courage to patiently await the deferred verdict of history."
-- Salvador "Doy" H. Laurel
When Marcos called for a snap election in late 1985, owing to the growing unrest and demands for political change, the UNIDO was the only political party that was ready to face the challenge.
The UNIDO, formed in 1980, had already established a solid nationwide machinery and had been actively mobilizing its members and supporters. It had also been duly accredited as the dominant opposition party during the 1984 Batasan Pambansa elections, thereby entitling it to party inspectors in every precinct.
During this period, as reflected in the surveys, the fiery former senator from Batangas emerged as the top opposition contender. Unfortunately, in the crucial weeks leading to the snap election, his quest for the presidency encountered so many obstacles. Those who favored another candidate devised a scheme, involving a malicious smear campaign to destroy his reputation and character. Their actions were fueled by an extensively funded media frenzy aimed at preventing his candidacy entirely.
One notable incident happened in late 1985 when Doy was falsely accused of shouting at an "old, venerable lady." Doy swiftly denied the allegation, but as a presidential candidate he was obliged to offer an apology. Privately though, Doy vehemently disputed these accounts and even scribbled "NOT TRUE!" on one of the news clippings recounting the incident. Predictably, his detractors escalated the situation; this time they claimed that Doy had also pointed an "angry finger" at her. So much for responsible journalism. So much for the first rough draft of history.
Well, sadly for Doy, that was all part of the plot.
Before long, the alternative press zeroed in on Doy Laurel for weeks, depicting him as an "arrogant and overly ambitious man." As Mrs. Laurel described it, at the time of the incident, the first-rough-draft historians made Doy "look like the Devil incarnate." Doy, ever the gentleman, gracefully accepted the criticism and struggled intensely to regain momentum. But by then, the perception of the general public had drastically shifted against his candidacy.
Time was of the essence, of course. As the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy drew near, the Opposition found themselves in limbo. A decision had to be made. Someone had to yield his/her position. Confronted with increasing pressure to step aside and promote opposition unity, the UNIDO standard bearer, heeding the call of history, selflessly set aside his own candidacy and yielded to Mrs. Aquino.
He reasoned: "Even with a single common candidate, the chance of the dominant opposition against an entrenched and incumbent president was difficult enough. So when Cory refused to make the sacrifice, I had to do it."
For Doy, whose Spanish given name "Salvador" means "savior," the fight against the dictatorship held a higher purpose, surpassing personal ambitions and party interest. Whatever the cost, as he would repeatedly say, "Ang bayan, higit sa lahat!"
And the rest now is history.
📷: Veritas (News Magazine) cover story issue of November 24, 1985
References:
1. Ninez Cacho Olivarez, The Daily Tribune, January 31, 2004
2. Rene Espina's Tribute To Doy, as reprinted in Celia Diaz Laurel's DOY LAUREL (Philippines: CDL Enterprises: 2005) pp. 283-284
3. Mga Bakas Ng Kahapon: Memoir by Francisco Soc Rodrigo
4. Isabelo T. Crisostomo, Cory: Profile Of A President (J. Kris Publishing, 1987)
5. Homobono Adaza, Leaders From Marcos to Arroyo (AuthorHouse, 2009) pp. 204-231
6. Celia Diaz Laurel, DOY LAUREL (Philippines: CDL Enterprises, 2005), pp. 125-150
7. "...they made Doy look like the Devil incarnate. From Celia Diaz Laurel's "An Eyewitness Account" in THROUGH ORDEAL AND TURMOIL by Salvador H. Laurel (2002)
PLEASE CREDIT: Courtesy Salvador H. Laurel Museum & Library
