Have been so weakened by continuous bowel movement that my voice is falsetto. I noticed lack of coordination of my muscles even of the tongue, very lightheaded feeling and drowsiness as well as heaviness of the body.
So I have been put on saturated carbon in capsules, paregoric, soda mint and even kaopectate. This has stopped the diarrhea.
And I cannot eat too much.
Blood examination this morning indicated low potassium (only 3 when normal is 3.5 to 5.5) due to elimination of potassium through the bowels. So I am taking liquid potassium and bananas.
The doctors say that this is the cause of my symptoms of body weakness.
Am now better tonight but still slightly weak. My left foot is still swollen and I cannot step on it with my full weight. So I am still using crutches. I said that I have an infected ingrown toe nail.
Met the generals both retiring and to be retained at 10:00 AM; indicated Sec. Juan Ponce Enrile to office as Secretary of National Defense.
We agreed to work out the plans
- For the reorganization of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and the Defense Dept.
- Finally rectify the deficiencies in
Official Gazette for January 4, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS inducted former Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, who has been reappointed to the same position.
The oath-taking ceremony held at Malacañang in the morning was witnessed by Armed Forces of the Philippines top brass headed by Gen. Manuel T. Yan, AFP chief of staff.
After the induction, the President conferred with the retiring AFP officers, during which he informed them:
Of plans to organize a commercial corporation to absorb retiring AFP officers and enlisted men for gainful employment; and
That he instructed Secretary Enrile and Gen. Yan to work out a plan for the organization of a veterans bureau. The bureau will have a corporate and commercial arm which will keep the veterans occupied in gainful pursuits.
Present at the meeting aside from Secretary Enrile and Gen. Yan, were Maj. Gen. Romeo Espino, AFP vice chief of staff; the chiefs of major commands and services, PC zone and PA brigade commanders, and other top AFP officials.
The rest of the President’s day was devoted to desk work.
- Intelligence
- Communications
- Transport
3. Obtain or produce patrol craft, for the Navy, Air Force and PC [Philippine Constabulary]. The navy will start receiving the 65 footer 25 knots speed PCF’s [Patrol Craft Fast] from the US under Map [Military Assistance Program] this month. We will produce the hulls, the Air Force will use the amphibious S-16; and the PC motorized bancas.
4. Prepare a shopping list for surplus items that we may get from the U.S. surplus depots. According to USec. Manuel Salientes he has been able to get an informal acceptance by some unknown persons supposedly close to the administration for our buying $50 million worth of surplus items payable at 6% of book value and paying a 4% commission. A little underhanded. But if this is the only way we can protect our country we will close to procure the defense items.
We will not only meet the deficiencies in Item 2 but also build up our capabilities in aircraft manufacture and shipbuilding.
5. Procure some 3 systems of Gabriel missile including the boats for each at a cost of $8 million per system.
Imelda has gone to Leyte by plane to join the children. They come back tomorrow.
Talked to her by radio (SSB [single sideband]) and she says it is raining cats and dogs in Leyte. They had difficulty landing. I advised them to come back by boat if it continues raining.