Imelda and I have just met with the congressmen from the Bicolandia, Visayas and Mindanao—45 in number—all Nacionalistas. Some could not come because of faulty communications.
But I exhorted them to unity and courage to fight for our principles.
“I will not preside over the liquidation of the Nacionalista Party,” I declared. “And I will fight for it alone if necessary.”
Official Gazette for February 15, 1971: PRESIDENT MARCOS left the whole morning free for himself, with no visitors on his schedule of callers, thus giving him time to discuss thoroughly with the Cabinet the reorganization plan for the executive department of the government. The two-hour meeting, which started at 10 a.m., is the second of a series of meetings on the revamp plan.
The discussions centered mainly on the restructuring and strengthening of the various departments in the executive branch and turning them into primary policy, planning, programming, coordinating and administrative entities in their respective fields.
Included was the proposal of the Reorganization Commission to reduce the number of agencies reporting directly to Malacañang. Of 140 offices under the Office of the President, only 25 were proposed to be retained.
Also taken up was the projected creation of a new department which would take charge of agrarian reforms, community development and local government affairs.
The proposed restructuring and strengthening of the different departments, aimed primarily at minimizing duplication of functions and achieving maximum economy, efficiency and effectiveness, would involve the abolition or merger of commission, bureaus, councils, boards, committees and other like, bodies, or their transfer to more appropriate departments of the government.
It would also involve the merger or “decabinetization” of certain departments in order to integrate or simplify overlapping functions and turn them into effective, unified agencies of the government.
It was agreed at the meeting, however, that each department should have only one undersecretary who should be a career administrator, to insure continuity of policies despite changes in political administration.
In the afternoon, the President worked for sometime at his desk, then at 4:30 p.m., he honored the officers and members of the City Judges Association of the Philippines at a merienda-cena. The city judges called on the President after the termination of their three-day convention.
In his brief remarks before the judges, the Chief Executive warned that injustice is one of the main causes of violent revolution that could lead to the overthrow of governments.
He then called upon the members of the judiciary to join the “democratic revolution” by showing more dedication in the administration of justice in their respective jurisdictions.
The President said that the “democratic revolution,” as an alternative to violent revolution, would not only mean the restructuring of Philippine society or the narrowing down of the cleavage between the rich and the poor.
It also assures equal justice to all segments of our society,” he added.
The group, which was accompanied to Malacañang by Secretary of Justice Vicente Abad Santos, was led by its president, Judge Buenaventura J. Guerrero of Quezon City.
Upon the request of the group, the President authorized the release of ₱61,250 for the employment of 102 process servers to help facilitate the early resolution of cases pending before the city courts.
Later in the evening, the President conferred with NP congressmen representing constituencies in the Bicol Region, the Visayas and Mindanao.
But they were of the same persuasion.
I assured them that I would help them win the next elections for their governors and mayors. And that I would strengthen them. This they welcomed with applause.
Then on motion of Cong. [Lamberto] Macias, the whole meeting decided to present our set of principles for the Nacionalista Party—and seek the election of Ex-Pres. [Carlos] Garcia as convention chairman and Tony [Antonio] Raquiza as majority floor leader.
We divided amongst them the responsibility of riding herd over the individual delegates.
They or we all came out of it reinvigorated.
We continued the cabinet meeting this morning and then met the Ilocos Sur mayors with Cong. [Lucas] Cauton.
There is a brewing rebellion against Gov. Carmeling Crisologo who has been authoritarian and is keeping the public works releases for doling out at her will including PACD [Presidential Assistant on Community Development] checks.
We must watch Ilocos Sur.