THE PHILIPPINES: The Die Is Cast

With each new success, new troubles also came to Huk-fighting Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay of the Philippines. As his stock rose with the plain people all over the islands, it fell with his boss, President Elpidio Quirino, and Liberal Party politicians around Quirino—who want to stay in power after next November’s elections—openly intrigued against Magsaysay. When Filipinos began talking seriously of Magsaysay as a reform presidential candidate, the Defense Secretary began even to fear for his life.

Last week Magsaysay abruptly resigned. “I have reached a point where my continuing on the job would be futile,” said Magsaysay. “It would be useless for me to continue . . . killing Huks as long as the Administration continues to foster conditions which offer fertile soil for Communism.” To this, Quirino replied: “Magsaysay is getting too ambitious.”

Now that the die was cast, Magsaysay spoke plainly: “The government is full of crooks and grafters … I resigned not as a millionaire but as a poor man.” Although he still wore the label of the Liberal Party, his resignation made him a leading candidate to oppose Liberal Quirino on the ticket of the opposition Nacionalista Party. Leader Jose Laurel, a mortal political enemy of Elpidio Quirino, has already renounced his own ambitions for the nomination, if Magsaysay would run, and renewed his pledge last week: “I launched the candidacy of Ramon Magsaysay,” said he, “and personally am committed to support his candidacy.”