Official Gazette for August 24, 1972: THE PRESIDENT met with the Cabinet to analyze the Supreme Court decision on parity rights and to discuss measures toward preventing confusion, or possible dislocation of the economy, which might result from a possible misinterpretation of the decision.
During the two-hour meeting, the President took up, among others:
1) The position the government would adopt in the event a motion for reconsideration of the Supreme Court decision is filed.
2) The steps to be taken by the various departments, offices and agencies of the government in the event the decision is retained by the Supreme Court.
3) The reports submitted by the Justice Committee headed by Justice Secretary Vicente Abad Santos and the Economic Committee headed by. Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr.
The President directed the two committees to continue their studies and to submit further recommendations pending submission of the motion, for reconsideration by the adverse party.
The President’ also ordered a complete and in-depth study by the various, departments, offices and agencies concerned, on the effects of the decision on the national economy as a whole.
The President pointed out that while the Supreme Court decision is not yet final it is necessary that preparations be taken in the event it becomes final.
During the meeting, the President also directed:
1) Rice and Corn Administration Chairman and General Manager Eliseo Villamor to improve the rice distribution system.
2) All department heads to prepare programs of expenditures of their allotments under the P300-million Calamity Fund.
Present at the meeting were Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Secretaries Clemente Gatmaitan of Health. David Consunji of Public Works and Communications Cesar Virata of Finance, Carlos P. Romulo of Foreign Affairs, Juan L. Manuel of Education, Blas F. Ople of Labor, Conrado Estrella of Agrarian Reforms, Constancio Castaneda of General Services, Juan Ponce Enrile of National Defense, Vicente Abad Santos of Justice, Troadio Quiazon, Jr. of Commerce and Industry Estefania Aldaba-Lim of Social Welfare, Arturo Tanco of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Press Secretary Francisco S. Tatad, Chairman Gerardo Sicat of the National Economic Council, Chairman Vicente Paterno of the Board of Investments, Chairman Mama Sinsuat of the Commission on National Integration, RCA Chairman and General Manager Eliseo Villamor, Commissioner Gregorio Bilog, Jr. of Land Registration, Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza, Justice Undersecretary Efren Plana, Director, General Apolinario Orosa of the. Presidential Economic Staff, Deputy Budget Commissioner Juan Agcaoile, Central Bank Governor Gregorio S. Licaros, and Directors Fernando Busuego of Mines, Jose Viado of Forestry and Vicente Valdellon of Lands.
Before presiding over the Cabinet meeting, the President received the credentials of Ambassador Daniel Laor, as envoy of Israel to the Philippines, vice Ambassador Yaacob Avnon, who had been recalled to Tel Aviv for reassignment.
During the ceremony, the President said that world peace could be attained if all nations and all peoples exerted their utmost toward this end.
The President said that the people of the Philippines would not hesitate to join forces with those who sincerely wish to create a better world society, through cooperative efforts to uplift the dignity and stature of man.
The President also took occasion to extend the sincere thanks and appreciation of the people and government of the Philippines to the people and government of Israel for their “immediate, unreserved and generous response to our worldwide appeal for help and relief occasioned by one of the worst natural calamities ever to visit our country.”
In presenting his credentials, Ambassador Laor conveyed the sympathies of his government and people to the flood victims and at the same time expressed admiration for the ability of the Filipino people, under the President’s leadership, to weather the crisis.
Present at the ceremony were members of the Cabinet, including Secretary Carlos P. Romulo and Undersecretary Manuel Collantes of Foreign Affairs, Executive Secretary Alejandro Melchor, Jr., Press Secretary Francisco S.
Golf up to 10:00 AM.
11:00 AM—Credentials Presentation of Israel Ambassador Daniel Laor
11:30—Postponed interview by Mr. Tillman Durdin of New York Times to 5:00 PM because of cabinet meeting.
11:45 AM-1:00 PM—Cabinet meeting
Report of Sec. Vicente Abad Santos of Legal Committee on Parity Division and Sec. A. [Alejandro] Melchor [Jr.] in working on economic effects of decision found in Envelope XXXIV-N.
Solicitor General to maintain original stand on motion for reconsideration.
The Filipino way is a fair and equitable way to treat American owned real estate.
Studies have been made since 1966 and we have always maintained that rights arising out of parity are coterminous with parity in July 3, 1974.
This position was sustained in the Supreme Court decision.
Tatad, Labor Secretary Blas F. Ople, Health Secretary Clemente Gatmaitan, Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella, and Central Bank Governor Gregorio S. Licaros.