Official Gazette for December 31, 1971: AS THE YEAR comes to end, President Marcos flew early in the morning from Baguio City to Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, his home province, for the traditional reunion with relatives and friends.
Accompanied by Leyte Gov. Benjamin Romualdez, the President enplaned at 8:15 after reviewing an honor guard composed of Philippine Military Academy cadets. He was seen off by the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos and Baguio City officials led by Mayor Luis Lardizabal. She later boarded another plane direct to Manila.
Half an hour later at the Laoag airport, the President was met by delegations from different towns of Ilocos Norte and nearby provinces. The welcomers were headed by Mrs. Josefa Edralin-Marcos, the President’s mother, Gov. Elizabeth Marcos-Keon, Reps. Roque Ablan, Jr. and Simeon Valdez.
From the airport, the President led a long motorcade to the city church where a Te Deum was sung. Then he inducted the newly-elected and reelected officials of the province, city and municipalities of Ilocos Norte.
In brief remarks following the induction ceremony, the President pleaded for national unity which, he said, is the only means of saving the country from its enemies.
“Only a united nation can find sufficient strength to defend itself against its enemies,” he declared.
The President then motored to Batac, his hometown, where he had a brief reunion with kin and friends.
He then returned to Laoag where he enplaned back to Manila, arriving in Malacañang at 2:30 p.m. The President took a short respite, before he buckled down to work.
Among others, he granted executive clemency to 192 convicted persons, upon recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Parole, in connection with the observance of New Year.
Of the prisoners granted clemency, eight were for absolute pardon, two conditional pardon, 155 conditional pardon with parole condition, and 27 commutation of sentence.
Later in the day, the President announced the lifting of the suspension of the writ of the privilege of habeas corpus in the entire country, to take effect upon the resolution by Judge Vicente Ericta of the Quezon City Court of First Instance of the subversion cases.
The President also issued the following New Year message:
“At the end of 1971 and the beginning of the new year, we see our nation enriched by experience and ready to move on towards the challenges of the future.
“We see our people committed to a new policy of dynamic change, all seeking to articulate their individual aspirations and all seeking to find their own individual places in the collective national endeavor.
“Throughout the past year, we saw ignorance, apathy and indifference being fought, renounced and condemned in all levels of our society, in favor of involvement, commitment and activism.
“In that period of great awakening, we witnessed the unleashing of energy from the various sectors of our community, in the free and militant discussion of ideas and issues that govern the conduct of our national life.
“Indeed, we have seen during the year just past, where our strength and our weaknesses lie, we have shown to ourselves how from a multitude of tongues and voices, we can distill the voice of reason to rule our collective life.
“As we enter the new year, it is my hope that the same vigor and enthusiasm, involvement and reason will continue to dominate the forums of free speech and the councils of our democratic institutions so that we may continue to pursue with increased faith, the efforts we have begun.
“Our government is determined that during the year 1972 security and development shall remain the twin primary objectives to which shall relate all our positive efforts.
“We are determined that the fears and shadows of the past shall not weaken our course, but rather that new faith, greater vision and a new sense of purpose shall govern it.
“In cooperation with the various sectors of our society, we shall continue to seek a better life for all our people, but in so doing, we shall ask our people to give us their abiding faith, their unstinted support and cooperation.
“We have much to achieve and work for during the new year. Let us not expect that government will achieve this in isolation, but rather, let us expect government to achieve it with the good wishes and the support of all.
“A Happy New Year to All”
I have just announced that the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is lifted over the entire Philippines effective on the date of the resolution of the question of the warrant of arrest against the accused including detainees in the subversion case pending before Judge Vicente Ericta of the Q.C. [Quezon City] Ct. of F.I. [Court of First Instance].
Came from Laoag from Baguio where I took off after PMA [Philippine Military Academy] departure honors. Took off in the clouds at 8:15 AM. Arrived in Laoag after a slightly rough trip at 8:50. Finished the Te Deum and Swearing In ceremonies at Laoag of the provincial and municipal officials at 11:00 AM. Was at Batac 11:30. Te Deum and reenactment of the swearing in ceremonies at 12:00. Lunch up to 12:15. Then back to Gabu. Took off at 12:40 PM. Arrived at NAB at 2:05 PM. Slightly rough near Manila.
Now I go to the New Year’s Dinners at the Ceremonial Hall.