A Letter to President Marcos

The P*I* Podcast

Hello Mga Ka-P*I*, this is your host, Matt Ordonez. As you know, this is, admittedly a belated release for the third anniversary of the P*I* podcast and for that I thank all of you for listening and following the podcast until now. Today, September 21, is also the anniversary of the declaration of Martial law. For this reason, I decided to do something different and show a new piece of Philippine history. I recently came across a letter addressed to former president, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The letter was written by the late Atty. Eufemio Domingo, who at the time was an accomplished Mabini Lawyer and would later be appointed as a Chairman of the Commission on Audit during the administration of President Corazon Aquino. He was known by some as "one of the last honest men in government." The letter was dated on August 28, 1973, almost a full year after the declaration of martial law. It conveys a very mixed message. While he does sympathize with President Marcos with the need for government control, instilling discipline on society, the curbing of a corrupt elite, and the alleviation of widespread poverty in the country, he also expressed doubts with the implementation of Martial law. He also did not necessarily believe in the immediate restoration of democracy either but proposed a more "enlightened liberal dictatorship," perhaps a compromise and appeal to Marcos' better nature in order to improve the country's dire situation. In the end, Atty. Domingo pleads for President Marcos to grant the Filipino nation a new social contract and national purpose, challenging him to be a true father of the nation. Honestly, I am not entirely sure what to feel with this document. It certainly does not neatly fit in my own views nor the views of today's political camps. What I can say is, even an intelligent man with integrity like Atty. Eufemio Domingo did not see the situation as "black or white" even during the Martial law years itself. This is only the perspective of one man but perhaps it is worth considering given the difficulty of our current situation. I share this document not to re-assert or admonish his perspective but to stir some conversation regarding our history and the meaning of Martial law.

Although Atty. Domingo tried sending the letter to the president, it is unknown whether President Marcos Sr. received or read the letter

The following is an audio recording of myself reading the letter as faithfully as I can for everyone to judge for themselves. I look forward to any comments or responses any listener may have. Thank you and I hope you appreciate the recording.