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If that money fails to persuade enough voters to remain loyal to his cause, Marcos now has another powerful weapon in his arsenal: his running mate, Tolentino. A 37-year veteran of Philippine politics and one of the country's leading experts on constitutional law, Tolentino is a popular vote getter who could boost the K.B.L. turnout in the critical metropolitan Manila area, his home district. In the 1984 parliamentary elections, he was the only K.B.L. candidate to win a seat in the city of Manila. An outspoken critic of the Marcos regime, Tolentino has called for the President's resignation several times in recent years. He also took part in the unsuccessful 1984 Assembly battle for the abolition of Amendment 6, a constitutional provision adopted after martial law was lifted that allows the President to issue decrees and use emergency powers.
Tolentino's willingness to serve as Marcos' vice-presidential candidate caught many Filipinos off guard. Last month when Marcos endorsed Cabinet Bill No. 7, calling the Feb. 7 election, Tolentino was among the first to label the contest unconstitutional because Marcos refuses to resign before the vote is held. Last week the feisty Tolentino, whose quick wit and muscular physique belie his age, found a new position. "If the Supreme Court rules the bill unconstitutional, then there will be no election," he said. "If it doesn't, there will be (an election), and we have to support the Supreme Court to defend the constitution." As for his well-known dissatisfaction with Marcos- style rule, Tolentino now says calmly, "The moment I become his Vice President, I can be close to him and advise him more effectively."
That is assuming, of course, that Marcos will maintain Tolentino on the K.B.L. ticket. Given the peculiar twists and turns of Philippine politics, it is quite possible that the ruling-party slate will change before, or even on, Feb. 7. Under Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code, which was adopted three weeks ago, any candidate for President or Vice President can withdraw or be disqualified at any time until noon of election day, and any votes cast up to that point will be tallied for the person from the same party who has been named to fill the vacancy. Skeptical Filipinos, Laurel among them, have warned that Marcos might use that clause at the last minute to make First Lady Imelda his running mate or even the K.B.L.'s presidential candidate. For now, Mrs. Marcos seems determined to dispel such rumors. "I had to go to the major leaders who wanted me on the ticket and tell them no," she told TIME last week. "I really don't like any public office because I am much too sensitive." Opposition leaders tried last week to play down the tactical brilliance of Marcos' selection of a running mate. "It's a sign that (the Marcos factions) are desperately trying to deodorize their image," said Assemblyman Joselito Atienza. "But like any other deodorant, it will fade away." Still, some opposition sources conceded that the Tolentino nomination was a factor in persuading Aquino and Laurel to mend their differences quickly.