Imelda is being drafted by the unanimous vote of the Executive Committee in tonight’s meeting at [Bahay] Pangarap.
But we should not expose her now. We should hold her in reserve for the presidential elections of 1973 or 1975. In the senate she would be baited and taunted by the opposition.
So she has gone to Mrs. Leonila Garcia to convince her to accept a berth in the NP [Nacionalista Party] senatorial line-up.
Official Gazette for July 29, 1971: In response to the growing public clamor against postal service irregularities which have prejudiced the general conduct of government, President Marcos created a management team to study the problems and deficiencies plaguing the bureau, and to recommend solutions.
Retired Gen. Marte U. Iglesias, director of the bureau of supply, was named chairman of the management team. Designated members were Arcadio Sunga, Washington Solidum and Gerardo Zafra, all of the Management Service of the Budget Commission, and a representative of the Philippine Council of Management (PCM), a private group. The PCM has named Augusto Acoymo, governor and auditor of the organization, as its representative.
The team was instructed to submit its recommendation to the President within one month.
Earlier in the morning, the President received the members of the Joint Philippine-Indonesian Economic Commission who called at Malacañang at the close of their three-day meeting held at the Luna Hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs. They informed the President that they had agreed on specific measures for the effective implementation of projects geared to the realization of the common objectives of the two countries.
In his talk with the members of the commission, the President underscored the need for the mutual assistance among the neighboring countries of Asia in view of the fast changing conditions in this part of the world.
He expressed gratification over the efforts exerted by the Philippines and Indonesia to help one another in attaining their mutual goal of industrial and economic development.
The Philippine panel was headed by Undersecretary of Commerce Eliseo Villamor, while the Indonesian panel was led by Dr. Mohammed Sisman, secretary-general of the Department of Trade. They were accompanied by Ambassador Modesto Farolan, Philippine envoy to Jakarta; and Ambassador Utomo, Indonesia’s envoy to the Philippines.
Following the call of the joint commission, the President conferred the Rizal Pro Patria award on Sister Mary Magdala Verhuizen in recognition of her distinguished and outstanding services in the field of education.
The Rizal Pro Patria award is conferred on deserving individuals who have perpetuated the ideals of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, through meritorious and outstanding public service. The citation was read by Miss Maria Imelda Marcos (Imee), the elder daughter of the President and the First Lady, Imelda Romualdez-Marcos.
Later, the President inducted into office Deputy Commissioner Epifanio Reyes Pangramuyen as acting Civil Service Commissioner, vice Commissioner Abelardo Subido who was considered resigned.
The President, in separate ceremonies, also swore into office Ricardo Galano as judge of the court of first instance of Isabela; Willelmo Fortun as judge of the court of first instance of Zamboanga del Sur; and Josue Bellosillo as judge of the court of agrarian relations of Iloilo.
Present at the induction ceremonies were close friends and relatives of the inductees; officials and employees of the Civil Service Commission, and a large delegation from Ilocos Norte headed by Dona Josefa Edralin-Marcos, mother of the President; Gov. Elizabeth M. Keon and Rep. Roque Ablan, Jr.
The President also received a delegation from the Manila Market Vendors Association which sought his I intercession in the improvement of what the group described as deplorable conditions in city market.
Headed by Jose J. Lapid, association president, the delegation complained of uncollected garbage scattered in the public markets which, the group said, had become breeding places of flies which swarm all over the market.
The Executive Committee is split on whether to take in Sen. Wenceslao Lagumbay or [Manuel] Manda Elizalde [Jr.]. They will decide by Saturday whom the line-up will be announced.
A screening committee composed of [Gil] Puyat, [Jose] Roy, [Cornelio] Villareal and all the regional vice presidents plus one mayor with the senatorial candidates [Dominador] Aytona and [Alejandro] Almendras substituted by [Jose] Alberto and [Mohammad] Ali Dimaporo, has been authorized to settle all conflicts and to choose and proclaim the candidates.
There is an explosive situation in the Clark Air Force Base strike of the Filipino employees. As usual they are closing the access and egress to the camp. KM’s [Kabataang Makabayan] as usual are active even threatening to kill 20 American dependents for every Filipino hurt.
And Judge [Ceferino] Gaddi has issued an apparently innocuous order enjoining the PC [Philippine Constabulary] from preventing picketing—although the strikers have not only picketed but closed the gates by a shoulder to shoulder line across the gate.
Ambassador [Henry] Byroade called me up to tell me of the situation.
Ambassador [Toshio] Urabe also called me to thank me for the fast action taken on the complaint of piracy against Japanese vessels.
Spent the day settling conflicts of candidates and releasing calamity funds. The conflict in Ilocos Norte took me the whole afternoon. There were some awkward moments when Beth [Elizabeth Marcos-Keon] refused to apologize to the Ablans for any offense she may have committed against them. She walked back of the conference.