Telegram from Myron Cowen to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State TELEGRAPH BRANCH 8/25/51, 10 a.m. CONFIDENTIAL CORRECTED PAGES 1&3 MRM:BJP 23 Control: 13040 A Rec'd: August 24, 1951 OLI FROM: Manila 5 p.m. TO: Secretary of State DECLASSIFIED FE E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 UNA E NO: 775, August 24, 3 p.m. State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 P By DEB NLT, Date 10-22-85 IE WEEKA NO 34. CIA ARMY Liberal party convention Aug 18-20 for nomination nine AIR senatorial candidates completely dominated by party leaders; NAVY dels after one threat to challenge Quirino leadership DCR knuckled under and accepted compromise worked out by Quirino with Perez and Cuenco. Altho Avelino states privately he was promised two places on ticket Perez influence in con- vention sufficiently strong prevent nomination Avelinista candidates. Comment: Altho Quirino still has upper hand Perez-Cuenco faction succeeded in preventing implementation of Quirino- Avelino deal thus probably eliminating full Avelinista support of Quirino struggle to dominate party. This evidence by post-convention announcement some Avelinistas that they were forming new political party. Altho Avelino himself displeased with turn of events his ultimate course to best our knowledge yet undecided. Some sources speculating Quirino not displeased omission Avelinistas from ticket as he now has line-up his own followers and has eliminated source of friction within Quirino element of party. We dis- count newspaper speculation Avelino may be given post Secy FONAFF. There is some speculation Pedrosa and Evangelista now on Liberal list of candidates may be prevailed upon to withdraw and may be replaced by Avelino and one of his fol- lowers. Liberal slate as it presently exists not over- burdened with men of high caliber. Altho eight of candidates cannot successfully challenge Antonio Quirino 9th candidate as apostle of fraud and corruption they, nevertheless, are not men with outstanding ability or character. Some sources believe Antonio Quirino placed on ticket due Cuenco influence to embarrass Pres and in relief opposition wld concentrate on Antonio Quirino with consequent benefit other Liberal candidates who wld be subject less vehement attacks. In addition relatively low quality of candidates we believe Quirino's insistence on personal domination and failure to establish even facade of democratic procedure in selection of candidates has created some dissension in party org. aide Sergio Osmena, CONFIDENTIAL S. TRUMAN LIBRARY HARRY MESSAGE IS PROMIBITED