Held a caucus luncheon with about 20 of the Senate and House leaders. They suggested we do not talk of another special session yet so that we can push all the bills in this special session. We agreed to take up in the order of precedence:
- Peace and Order
- Amendment of Borrowing Authority
- Tariff Code Amendment
- Sale of Military Camps
- Amnesty for Taxes
But if they do not finish their work, I will call another special session.
Tried to settle the quarrel between Gen. [Eduardo] Garcia, Chief of PC [Philippine Constabulary], and Rep. Antonio Diaz, but Gen. Garcia has gone on TV and declared he will not receive orders from Rep. Diaz on PC matters which is correct but impolite. I have called a conference on smuggling and army problems tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 PM then dinner.
Official Gazette for July 24, 1970: President Marcos devoted most of his morning working hours to a conference on legislative matters with leaders of both chambers of Congress. The meeting considered how urgent bills still pending in Congress could be more speedily acted on before the session is adjourned.
Present at the caucus, which lasted three hours, were Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Speaker Jose B. Laurel, Jr., Senate President Protempore Jose J. Roy, Speaker Protempore Jose Aldeguer, Senate Majority Floor-leader Arturo M. Tolentino, House Majority Floorleader Marcelino Veloso;
Senators Emmanuel Pelaez, Wenceslao R. Lagumbay and Helena Z. Benitez: Reps. Jose M. Alberto, Carlos Imperial, Tito Dupaya, Joaquin Roces, Rogaciano Mercado, Natalio P. Castillo, Artemio Al. Loyola and Frisco San Juan. Also present were Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchcr, Jr., Central Bank Gov. Gregorio S. Licaros, Undersecretary of Finance Pio de Roda, and Angel Yoingco, executive director of the Joint Legislative-Executive Tax Commission.
In the afternoon, the President devoted most of his time to paper work. Ha received no visitors. He remained at his desk through evening studying reports and disposing of urgent state business brought to his attention.
Among other actions, the President: 1. Directed Brig. Gen. Eduardo Garcia, PC chief, to identify and arrest the gunmen who ambushed Ifugao Gov. Gualberto B. Lumauig and his party last night, while on their way back to Lagawe. 2. Wired PANAMIN Secretary Manuel Elizalde, Jr., to “bring to Malacañang as soon as possible” the Manobo chief, Datu Manpatilan, who has signified willingness to surrender to the authorities. Manpatilan is facing murder charges for the alleged massacre of 14 lumberjacks in Esperanza Agusau del Sur, on August 21, 1968. He has been in hiding since. 3. Submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation the nominations of 39 national, provincial and city officials. (List of nominees in OG.)
Bongbong has started his Latin and French lessons under Mr. Sinug as he has never taken these in school. I have also gotten him to work on his British history. He has only taken Pre-Roman and a part of the Roman period.
Bongbong has started to call me ERPI—a contraction of ERPAT, the inverse of PATER. He is beginning to use his Latin.
Hikky [sic]—We just got instructed on French kissing by our children. The black mark on Imelda’s neck which I put on her the other day was immediately called a Hiki [sic] by our two eldest—the result of a sucking kiss.
We are all sleeping in our bedroom tonight. The children were all kidding us that if there should be another child, they would all be “DJALOUZ.” I suggested in jest that their mother was willing for me to have children by other women and they said “Unthinkable.” Although they were laughing, I knew they were serious.
I told them, too, that if Mommy should ever leave us, I would never marry again.
Bongbong said in bravado, “Why do you want any other sons when I am worth a thousand sons.” And I hope he will be.
I told him I want him to be challenged. He retorted he needed no challenge to be good.