I reiterated today to two interviewers, Mrs. ______ of Bangkok and Paul Miller, son Rand and John Nance that rather than the U.S. employing ground troops in the Philippines in the event of massive subversion (Vietnam-type) under the Mutual Defense Treaty, the U.S. should now agree to a long range plan of training and equipment of Philippine troops to take over some of the burdens that the U.S. now shoulders in the Philippines.
And we must now make a total review of our ties with the U.S.—in the economic and military fields.
Next Friday I will ask Sec. [Carlos] Romulo to sound out other governments specially Japan on what the [Richard] Nixon announcement of a visit to Red China means to Asian countries.
And we probably should review all the assumptions that were the basis of the negotiations of the on-going updating of the Military Bases agreement.
A meeting of the Mutual Defense Board should now be called to prepare such a long
Official Gazette for July 19, 1971: President Marcos called Congress to another special session beginning August 2, and certified five vital measures for its consideration. The President called for the special session upon the request of the leaders of both Houses of Congress.
The bills certified were: 1. HB No. 3443—An Act appropriating funds for the operation of the Government of the Philippines during fiscal year 1971-1972, and for other purposes; 2. SB No. ,184—An Act to provide-electoral reforms, amending for these purposes certain sections of the Revised Election Code and inserting new sections therein, and amending further R. A. 3588, as amended; 3. HB No. 1919—A new Election Code of the Philippines; 4. SB No. 4783453—An Act amending R. A. 3844, as amended, otherwise known as the Agricultural Land Reform Code, and for other purposes; 5. HB No. 3463 SB No. 633—An Act to accelerate the implementation of the Agrarian Reform Program, creating for the purpose an Agrarian Reforms Special Account in the General Fund providing the necessary funds therefore, and for other purposes.
The above-mentioned measures were on the agenda of the first special session of Congress which adjourned July 17, but failed to get Congress action due to lack of time.
Earlier, the President directed Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. and Acting General Manager Aresenio Abrazaldo of the Rice and Corn Administration to work out a scheme whereby RCA rice could be distributed through the public schools in the Greater Manila area.
The President issued the directive with a view to insuring a more effective distribution of RCA rice, selling at ₱2.10 to ₱2.20 per ganta, such that the cereal would benefit as many households as possible, especially the low-income groups.
The distribution of the RCA rice through the public schools in the Greater Manila area was suggested by Mrs. Polly Cayetano, president of the Chamber of Filipino Retainers (CFR), who called on the President; in the morning, together with other CFR officials. The CFR has offered its services to bring down the price of the cereal. The President likewise directed Secretary Tanco to confer with Mrs. Magdalena L. Santos, president of the Bulacan Rice Millers Association (BRMA), who has also helped in the distribution of RCA rice, Mrs. Santos’ organization has been selling RCA rice through its rolling stores in Manila, with Mayor Antonio J. Villegas providing police security for BRMA’s rolling stores.
range plan of training and reequipping.
Or the National Security Council—or the Foreign Policy Council.
I should now order the Sec. of Foreign Affairs to prepare to recommend to the Foreign Policy Council the position to be adopted or the entry of Red China into the UN [United Nations].
Will not the sudden friendship between the U.S. and China stimulate Russia into an escalation of the Arms race? This question has also occurred to Amb. [Henry] Byroade. He said so to me at the party of Ricky and Helen Cu-Unjieng this evening (I left Imelda and the children there as I seemed to be breaking down with a cold).
I have inducted into office Asst. Executive Secretary [Ponciano] Mathay and Chairman of the Board of Examiners for Certified Public Accountants Luis Vera. Allid had not yet sold his transportation contract with Shell in Leyte so I could not swear him in.
Have been busy the whole day with congressmen and governors. Swore some Liberals into the Nationalist Party (Pampanga) and met the Northern congressmen this afternoon.
Sec. [Juan] Ponce Enrile reported to me that the Cotabato situation is under control and that Ex. Gov. Udtog Matalam is begging to be called for a conference; that Cong. [Salipada] Pendatun says he is not running for the Senate in the Liberal party slate.
There is no fear of further disorders.