IN the history of the EDSA People Power Revolution and its aftermath, perhaps no iconic figure has been more misunderstood and least appreciated than Salvador “Doy” Laurel, former vice president of the Republic and one of the fiercest oppositionists during the dark days of martial law. Despite the obvious historical significance of his role in the restoration of freedom and democracy in the country, Laurel remains remote and, in part, isolated from the key figures whom many revered as “heroes” of the “Yellow” revolution. Yet if truth be told, that historic moment would not have happened hadn’t he convincingly shown gravitas to fight back — Batangas-style — almost singlehandedly, at a time when it was risky to do so.
Laurel was no ideologue. Seasoned with a deep sense of social justice, he was a “pragmatic nationalist” who considered patriotism as the highest form of idealism. Steeped in the mythos of dictatorships, he strongly believed in democratic elections. Unlike most in the other side of the political spectrum, opposition leaders whose flirtation with the Left would have brought the country into the abyss of destruction, Laurel sought to liberate the country from Marcos through peaceful means. There was no other way around for a Laurel like Doy, son of the towering nationalist, Jose P. Laurel. Though many of his peers initially underestimated his resolve, including those who doubted his political persuasions from day one, Laurel pursued his cause with fervor and never looked back. Like some kind of prophet, he showed others the way.
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