The contest for the presidency of the constitutional convention has become a rivalry between two men whom we cannot admire—ex-Pres. [Diosdado] Macapagal and ex-Sen. [Raul] Manglupus—the first a man of doubtful word of honor and the second a hypocrite of erratic talent.
But this has come about because of the withdrawal of Delegate Teofisto Guingona in favor of Manglapus and the expected withdrawal of Delegate Carlos Ledesma of Negros Occidental in favor of ex-Pres. Macapagal. Delegate Ledesma was prevailed upon tonight to withdraw so that the Nacionalista and Liberal groups can attain a union of forces. Otherwise if the contest were to be reduced to Ledesma and Manglapus, the latter because of his national stature and parliamentary experience would win on the last balloting. He would be a divisive force.
The Nacionalistas still have misgivings about ex-Pres. Macapagal but they will support him as the lesser evil.
Because it is a week-end I could not get in touch with the various men I wanted to appoint to the oil commission except Asst. Executive Secretary Ponciano Mathay whom I am designating as chairman. The other members would be Director of Commerce Epifanio Castillejos, Central Bank ______, Dante Nagtalon, former PAL [Philippine Air Lines] Vice President Roberto Lim and the oil expert ______.
I have not been able to reorganize the Post Office nor the Dept. of Public Works and the CAA [Civil Aeronautics Administration].
But I have appointed the new judges of the CFI [Court of First Instance] and CAR [Court of Agrarian Relations] as well as some fiscals in Manila.
Worked on my book “The New Revolution.” I must finish this by the middle of July.
I have prepared the order in my handwriting dated June 30th to Com. [Faustino] Sychangco to the effect that if the new appropriation act is not approved into law by midnight of that day, the Commission is directed by me, in accordance with tradition and practice which has
Official Gazette for June 26, 1971: President Marcos had his schedule of activities for the day cleared of callers, even as he devoted his working hours to urgent official papers preparatory to his trip to the Leyte provinces.
Among the matters acted upon by the President were nominations to various posts in the government, which he submitted to the Commission on Appointments for confirmation. Heading the list of nominees were Dr. Estefania Aldaba-Lim, as Secretary of Social Welfare; Eduardo Rodriguez, as administrator of economic coordination; Gregorio Cendaña, as director of the National Media Production Center; Juan Mariano, as director of soils; and Godofredo L. Alcasid, as director of the National Museum.
become practically a part of the constitution that he release funds for the normal operations of the government within the limits of the present appropriation act.
Otherwise the government may be paral[y]zed and the officers and employees go without compensation.
I enclose a photostatic copy of the order.
The Senate is turning out to be a serious stumbling block to our reform program. Most of the senators are egoistic men concerned only with their own personal ambitions and oblivious to the public welfare.
And their pet dream is to cut all powers of the presidency no matter what the consequences.