We are alarmed by news this morning that the Supreme Court research divisions was preparing a decision adverse to us.
But Justice Dindong [Claudio] Teehankee [Sr.] who was here with the Knights of Rizal on their lot, assured me that even the Chief Justice and J.B.L. [Jose] Reyes, the old men of the Sup. Ct. were for my proclamation; that Justice Fred Ruiz Castro was the sharpest questioner but that he had said privately that he was glad I was seeing to it that there was no abuse of arrest and detention because he knew “those bastards” in the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] (He had been Judge Advocate General).
Official Gazette for September 2, 1971: President Marcos had several important conferences, which added to the brisk pace of his activities. He also continued to receive scheduled callers.
Meeting with a delegation of Knights of Rizal, the President ratified the deed of conveyance of a 1,200 square meter lot on Bonifacio Drive, Manila, with the Knights of Rizal, recipients. The deed was signed by Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr. on behalf of the government and Supreme Court Justice Claudio Teehankee, Supreme Commander of the Knights of Rizal. Among those present at the signing were Councilor Sofronio T. Veloso of San Juan, Rizal, Knight of Rizal supreme pursuivant; Dr. Manuel Lim, Justice Jose Paredes, Adolfo Santos, Santiago de la Cruz, Esteban de Ocampo, and other officials and members of the Knights of Rizal.
In expressing gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the group, Justice Teehankee assured the President that the land would be utilized to perpetuate the ideals and objectives of the national hero, pointing put that the solutions to the many problems facing the nation may be found in Dr. Rizal’s teachings and ideals and his spirit of sacrifice. The President expressed the hope that the occasion would mark the beginning of a partnership between the public and private sectors for the perpetuation of the ideals of the national hero.
The President next sat down for a closed door conference with Sen. Gerardo Roxas and Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal. Sen. Roxas was wheeled to the President’s study by his son, Manuel A. Roxas II. The President asked the opposition Liberal Party to take a common stand with the ruling Nacionalista Party in waging war against insurgent communist elements in the country and all other enemies of the state.
The President also:
1.Asked that the two major political parties adopt common efforts to implement the new electoral reform code limiting expenditures in the elections. 2. Proposed that lines of communications be kept open between him and the LP president at all times, in order to ensure continued, maximum consultation between the two leaders and their respective parties. 3. Offered to take the LP president and other select opposition leaders into the confidence of the President on the nature of intelligence fund expenditures. (The law provides for the utmost secrecy in the disposition of intelligence funds.) 4. Briefed the LP president on the latest developments in the investigation of the August 21st Plaza Miranda bombing incident, with the understanding that such information be for the moment classified as highly confidential in nature, and not for publication or dissemination.
After this meeting, the President signed the Election Code of 1971, passed by Congress during the special session. The new law, which will govern the election of all public officials except those of the barrios, and plebiscites, broadened the powers of the Commission on Elections.
Present at the signing were Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal, Senators Gerardo Roxas and Lorenzo Teves, Reps. Andres Cosalan of Benguet, Aguedo Agbayani of Pangasinan, Jose Alberto of Catanduanes, Fermin Z. Caram, Jr. of Iloilo, AH Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, Fernando Pajarillo of Camarines del Norte and Godofredo M. Tan of Quezon.
His other conference was with Quezon City officials, on local problems. Present were Mayor Norberto Amoranto and Vice Mayor Ismael Mathay, Councilors Tino Lapuz, Rafael Mison, Jr., Jesus Perlas, Jr., Fred Montilla, Hermogenes Caluag, Eddie Paredes and Romulo Lucasan; and Noli Rodriguez.
So I hope the case, will be unanimously decided although Justice [Arsenio] Dizon may vote against us. He is a relative of Sen. [Benigno] Aquino [Jr.].
I have asked Mayor [Norberto] Amoranto of Quezon City, who is involved in a notorious smuggling case to withdraw from the mayoralty race and let his Vice Mayor, Mel Mathay to take his place.
I met Gerry [Gerardo] Roxas, the head of the Liberal Party at the palace, he still on his wheelchair.
I asked him to:
- Consider the fight against communists as a national effort and not just a Nacionalista Party project.
- Agree to the two parties openly supporting the electoral reforms.
- Mutual consultations even by telephone.
- Ask me about the Intelligence funds uses provided he alone kept it.
- Help for the approval of the budget.
I told him of the missing Lyn Oreta, brother-in-law of Sen. Aquino who was sold 500 grenades before the Plaza Miranda incident.
He complained of his telephone being tapped. I told him Lopez and some of the military are.
The book is certainly getting a lot of corrections.
Gerry Roxas is indeed a weakling. He is concerned only with the tension that has arisen out of the suspension of the privilege of the writ.
I had to patiently explain to him that in an operation to remove the cancer from the body politic, which the dismantling of the communist apparatus is, there has to be some pain and perhaps even some temperature.
He strikes me as mentally lazy and immature. He is incapable of sustained thinking.
I do not believe he reads the great books at all.