Caucus at 10:00 PM.
Foreign Policy Council at 11:00 [AM]-12:30 AM [sic].
In the caucus of congressional leaders we agreed that the Tariff & Customs Code amendments, the removal of exemptions and subsidies as well as other tax measures will be given priority so as to give time to the Senate to act.
In the Foreign Policy Council we agreed.
Official Gazette for February 12, 1972: PRESIDENT MARCOS presided over the meeting of the Foreign Policy Council in the morning.
During the meeting, the Council decided to open trade relations with all countries including Socialist and Communist countries, but excluding those under United Nations embargo such as Rhodesia and South Africa.
The President said that the decision to establish trade relations with all countries would push forward the frontiers of the country’s diplomatic and trade relations in accordance with the plans of the Council.
He said that under this policy, trade will be carried on all levels, whether between individuals or firms, and between corporations.
At the same time, the Council deferred action on the question of recognition of Bangladesh (East Pakistan).
The Council’s action was in response to the appeal of Muslim leaders led by Sen. Mamintal Tamano who urged a more cautious attitude towards recognition.
The meeting was attended by Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal, Senate President Protempore Jose J. Roy, Senators Mamintal Tamano, Arturo M. Tolentino, Lorenzo Teves and Emmanuel Pelaez, former Sen. Lorenzo M. Tanada; Reps. Nicanor Yñiguez, Ali Dimaporo, Macacuna Dimaporo, and Jose Aldeguer;
Secretaries Carlos P. Romulo of Foreign Affairs, Vicente Abad Santos of Justice, Cesar E. A. Virata of Finance, Arturo R. Tanco, Jr. of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Juan Ponce Enrile of National Defense, and Troadio T. Quiazon, Jr. of Commerce and Industry; Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Press Secretary Francisco S. Tatad, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Jose D. Ingles, Commissioner Mama Sinsuat of National Integration;
Constitutional Convention Delegate Raul S. Manglapus, Roman Pedrosa of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Benjamin Campomanes of the Rotary Club, U. P. President Salvador P. Lopez, Ambassador to the United Nations Narciso G. Reyes, Governors Carlos Cajelo of Cotabato and Linang Mandangan of Lanao del Sur.
Earlier, the President conferred with Senate and House leaders with whom he discussed the administration’s legislative proposals.
In the afternoon, the President devoted his time working on state papers and reviewing reports submitted to him by various government officials.
While going over the reports, the President ordered the immediate preparation of a comprehensive system of rotation and assignment of government personnel to achieve full utilization of their talent, training, capability or expertise in the interest of national development.
Toward this end, he organized a committee to prepare the rotation plan, with Assistant Executive Secretary Roberto V. Reyes as chairman.
Named members of the committee were Angelita Ofilada of the Presidential Economic Staff, Carmel C. Perfecto of the Commission on Reorganization, and Filemon U. Fernandez of the Civil Service Commission.
The committee was directed to review the memoranda of agreement submitted by the various government departments, and to incorporate the same into the comprehensive rotation plan.
He also ordered the committee to submit the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan and the schedule of implementation within 30 days after receipt of all memoranda of agreement from the various departments.
- To trade with all countries including all Socialist and Communist countries and Ute Middle East.
- On the suggestion of the Muslim leaders, not to act on the Bangladesh recognition until we can meet again.
Max Goldberger arrived for our experiments and research on guided missiles and chemically powered batteries.
Met Amb. Panui of Bangladesh as well as Amb. [Modesto] Farolan for Indonesia.
Worked on the papers on the Suharto visit.