Have finished the outline on The Asian Dilemma, The Philippine Paradox.
But problems on the Japanese loans (Project Loans $25 Million and $40 Million commodity loans) have supervened. The Philippine negotiators, as usual, are timid and act like beggars. I have insisted on our writing our own ticket of projects.
Then the various projects for legislation.
And the criminal cases coming up for final analysis and prosecution: Plaza Miranda; MIA [Manila International Airport] burning; the Iloilo murders; The Tarlac syndicates.
But I have spent much time also on the raw materials for the Strategy of Development which I would like to entitle The Philippine Republic.
Official Gazette for February 3, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS, free from his usual schedule of callers, devoted most of his time going over state papers. Among others, he issued:
1) an executive order redefining the functions and duties of the Medical Assistance Program Task Force, which was created earlier under Executive Order No. 337, dated September 1, 1971.
The President amended the functions of the task force in order that its activities will not overlap and duplicate the responsibilities and duties of the Philippine Medical Care Commission.
As modified, the functions and powers of the task force will be recommendatory and advisory to the commission.
2) an administrative order creating a special committee on narcotics.
In his order, the President stated that narcotic addiction had increasingly become a major social problem and it threatens to corrupt and degrade the youth and student population, undermine society and the economy as well.
“There is an urgent need to formulate and adopt preventive, curative, rehabilitative and developmental measures to repel and contain this social menace before it gets out of control, to the detriment of our national interest and public welfare.”
The special committee is composed of: secretary of Justice as chairman; the solicitor general, as vice chairman; the secretary of health, secretary of education, secretary of social welfare, secretary of finance, commissioner of the budget, and the chief of constabulary, as members.
The President, from time to time have to leave his private study to attend to unscheduled callers especially his fiscal and legislative advisers.
The Chief Executive worked lengthily on his desk in the afternoon and until late in the evening.